4.  2-2..  5  j 


1^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^ 


Purchased  by  the  Mary  Cheves  Dulles  Fund. 


BX  7795   .C63  C63 

Coffin,  Elijah,  1798-1862 

The  life  of  Elijah  Coffin 


1 


1 

Digitized  by 

tine  Internet  Arcliive 

in  2015 

littps  ://arcli  i  ve .  0  rg/detai  Is/I  if  eof  e  I  ijalicof  f  OOcof  f_0 


THE 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH 


WITH  A 


HEMIlSriSCEISrOE, 


BY  HIS  SON 

CHARLES    F .  COFFIN. 


EDITED  BY  HIS  DAUGHTER, 

MARY    C.  JOHNSON. 


PRINTED  FOR  HIS  FAMILY  ONLY 


COFFIN; 


E.  MORGAN   &  SONS. 

^863. 


mi. 


INTRODUCTION. 


It  is  proper  to  remark  that  the  following  memoir  has  been  committed 
to  the  press,  in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  Elijah  Coffin's  immedi- 
ate family,  that  each  one  of  its  members  might  have  in  their  own 
possession,  the  record  penned  by  the  hand  of  a  tenderly,  affectionate 
and  beloved  husband  and  father. 

There  is  but  little  of  editoral  matter  inserted  into  the  Journal,  ex- 
cepting explanatory  notes.  The  work  of  the  compiler  has  chiefly  been 
to  arrange  the  material,  and  gather  up  such  portions  of  information  as 
furnish  the  interesting  particulars  of  the  life  of  the  subject,  and  which 
in  the  minds  of  those  who  were  the  recipients  of  his  tender  sympathy 
and  affection,  can  not  fail  to  awaken  pleasant  recollections. 

The  present  vohime  begins  with  a  sketch  of  the  early  life  of  Elijah 
Coffin  written  from  his  own  recollections  and  included  in  the  autobi- 
ography, which  is  followed  by  the  extracts  from  liis  diary,  and  the  whole 
are  submitted  precisely  as  he  left  them  without  abridgment.  It  would 
be  a,  great  source  of  gratification  to  his  survivors,  had  his  memoranda 
began  at  an  earlier  date,  giving  a  recital  of  the  various  incidents  of  his 
life  throughout  the  period  of  youth  and  early  manhood,  but  in  the 
examination  of  his  journal  and  papers,  it  is  found  that  he  was  not  in 
the  practice  of  keeping  a  daily  record,  previous  to  the  fiftieth  year  of 
his  age. 

It  will  be  observed  that  but  few  extracts  are  introduced  from  his  large 
private  correspondence  which  he  maintained  many  years  with  valued 
friends,  both  in  England  and  America.  It  would  undoubtedly  prove  both 
interesting  and  instructive,  to  have  had  selections  from  his  letters  in- 
serted in  the  following  pages,  but  no  copies  having  been  preserved  with 
his  private  papers,  excepting  tiiose  relative  to  business,  or  on  importan'' 
subjects,  it  was  deemed  best,' in  preparing  the  present  volume,  to  omit 
to  group  together  the  widely  scattered  material,  which  might  be  obtained 
from  numerous  sources,  as  it  probably  would  not  present  any  new  fea- 


iv 


INTRODUCTION. 


tures  in  his  Christian  character,  and  would  swell  the  volume  to  a  larger 
size  than  is  intended. 

The  publications  of  Elijah  Coffin,  to  which  frequent  allusion  is  made 
in  the  following  pages,  are  before  the  public,  and  have  met  with  much 
acceptance ;  many  testimonies  having  been  already  rendered  to  their 
value  and  usefulness. 

His  memoranda  are  chiefly  the  events  of  the  day,  or  recital  of  domes- 
tic incidents,  portraying  his  domestic  feelings,  which,  perhaps,  possess 
but  little  of  interest  to  others  than  his  own  family.  They  are  occasionally 
interwoven  by  an  expression  of  his  sentiments  on  the  various  matters 
which  came  under  his  observation,  together  with  the  religious  state  of 
his  mind ;  and  as  a  whole  give  ample  evidence  of  the  purity  of  the  life 
of  one  who  lived  in  accordance  with  the  Apostle  Paul's  injunction  to 
the  saints,  "That  they  be  rich  in  good  works,  ready  to  distribute,  willing 
to  communicate ;  laying  up  in  store  for  themselves  a  good  foundation 
against  the  time  to  come,  that  they  may  lay  hold  on  eternal  life." 

Cincinnati,  Eleventh-month  1862.  M.  C.  J. 


OOlSTTEnSTTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  Lipk — Revolutionary  War — Visit  to  thr    West — Marriage — 

.  Removal  to  Indiana   9 

CHAPTER  II. 

Journal — Visits  to  Monthly  Meetings — First-day  Schools — Visit  to 

^  Baltimore — Cholera — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting   23 

CHAPTER  III. 

Visits  to  Schools  and  Meetings — Bible  and  Tract  Societies — Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting   56 

CHAPTER  IV. 

State  Constitution — Tract  on  Amusements — Visit  to  Eastern  Cities — 
Bequest  pbom  Josiah  White   79 

CHAPTER  V. 

Visits  to  Quarterly  Meetings — Tract  on  the  Marriage  State — In- 
diana Yearly  Meeting — American  Bible  Society — Visit  to  Yearly 
Meeting  at  Philadelphia — Yellow  Fever  in  Netv  Orleans — London 
Yearly  Meeting  Address  on  Slavery   94 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Passage  of  Nebraska  Bill — Journey  to  Eastern  Cities — Yearly  Meet- 
ing at  Newport,  R.  I. — Return  Home — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting — 
Visit  to  the  West — N.  C.  Hoag  and  Wm.  Hobbs — Prayer — Visit  to 
North  Carolina   117 

CHAPTER  Vir. 

Return  Home — Religious  Exercises — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting — War  in 
Kansas   142 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Indiana  Bible  Association  of  Friends — New  Year — Visit  to  Kansas — 
Western  Yearly  Meeting — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting   154 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Reading  Circles — Death  op  John  Allen — Western  and  Indiana  Yearly 
Meetings— Sabbath  Schools — Visit  to  Washington  and  Eastern  Cities 
— New  York  and  New  England  Yearly  Meetings — Journey  to  Iowa — 
Indiana  Yearly  Meeting — Visit  to  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting...  172 


CHAPTER  X. 

Visit  to  North  Carolina,  Continued — Mammoth  Caye — Secession  of  South 
Carolina — Capture  op  Fort  Sumpter — Visit  to  Kansas — Shawnee  Mis- 
sion— Close  of  Journal — Memoranda — Visit  to  the  Sea  Shore — De- 
clining Health — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting — Sabbath  School  Confer- 
ence at  Cincinnati — Conclusion   227 

CHAPTER  Xr. 

Last  Days  and  Decease   264 

REMINISCENCES. 


By  his  son,  Charles  F.  Coffin 


2S5 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  Life — Revolutionary  War — Visit  to  the  West — Marriage — Removal 

TO  Indiana. 

The  following  brief  sketch  of  the  birth,  parentage  and 
early  life  of  Elijah  Coffin,  is  taken  from  his  Autobiography, 
written  from  his  own  recollections  : 

It  is  an  interesting  exercise  to  recur  to  the  scenes  and  actions  of 
one's  past  life,  and  to  tliose  of  individuals  with  whom  we  have  been 
intimately  connected,  and  who  may  have  been  instrumental  for  good 
or  for  evil,  in  directing  the  course  of  our  conduct,  and  of  forming 
and  establishing  our  future  character.  Such  a  review  is  interesting, 
because  we  may  see  in  our  past  conduct  and  conversation  many 
things  to  condemn,  and  for  which  we  sincerely  repent,  with  a  prayer 
that  the  best  help  may  be  afforded  by  the  mercy  and  free  grace  of 
God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  reform  and  amend,  to  cease 
to  do  evil,  and  to  learn  to  do  well ;  also,  that  we  may  take  courage 
from  the  peace  and  enjoyment  which  have  flowed  into  our  minds, 
and  the  blessings  which,  in  various  ways,  may  have  attended  us, 
from  withstanding  temptations,  and  performing  the  things  required 
of  us. 

From  the  experience  of  years,  a  good  lesson  of  instruction  may 
be  drawn,  which,  if  heeded,  might  be  greatly  valuable  to  the 
young. 

Moved  by  these  considerations,  the  following  sketch  of  my  dear 
and  honored  parents,  and  of  my  early  life,  is  penned. 

My  father,  Bethuel  CoflBn,  son  of  William  and  Priscilla  CoflSn, 
was  born  on  the  island  of  Nantucket,  on  the  6th  day  of  the  ^cond- 
2  (9) 


10 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1756. 


month,  1756.  My  mother's  name  was  Hannah  Dicks,  daughter  of 
Nathan  and  Mary  Dicks,  and  she  was  born  in  the  neighborhood  of 
New  Garden,  in  North  Carolina,  on  the  16th  day  of  the  Sixth- 
month,  1757. 

My  grandfather,  William  Coffin,  was  son  of  Samuel  and  Miriam 
Coffin ;  and  my  grandmother  Coffin's  maiden  name  was  Paddock. 
Samuel  Coffin  was  son  of  John  and  Deborah  Coffin,  and  married 
Miriam  Gardner.  John  Coffin  was  son  of  Tristram  Coffin,  and 
married  Deborah  Austin.  Tristram  Coffin  came  to  the  island  of 
Nantucket  in  the  year  1660,  from  Salisbury,  in  Massachusetts. 

The  island  of  Nantucket  being  small,  and  its  soil  not  very  pro- 
ductive, a  large  number  of  people  could  not  be  supported  thereupon  ; 
and  to  procure  a  livelihood  a  considerable  proportion  of  the  males 
went  to  sea,  by  which  they  became  acquainted  with  a  maritime  life, 
and  many  of  them  brave,  enterprising  seamen.  The  whale  fishery 
was  pursued  for  the  profits  it  afforded ;  and  the  talents  and  enter- 
prise of  the  Nantucket  men,  enabled  them  to  pursue  it  to  advan- 
tage, insomuch  that  that  branch  of  business  was  carried  on  more 
extensively,  I  believe,  from  that  place,  for  a  considerable  time,  than 
any  other  upon  this  continent. 

My  father  went  to  sea  two  voyages  (the  vessel  being  in  pursuit 
of  whales),  when  quite  young ;  one  of  them  into  the  Gulf  of  the 
St.  Lawtence,  and  the  other  along  the  Labrador  shore,  and  into 
Davis'  Straits,  as  far  north  as  latitude  62°  10'.  I  well  remember 
to  have  heard  him  say  that  the  sun  was  out  of  sight  in  the  latter 
place  ;  in  the  summer,  only  about  four  hours  in  the  twenty-four, 
viz.:  from  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  to  two  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  that  upon  the 
deck  of  the  ship,  the  twilight  was  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  read 
at  midnight.  After  these  voyages,  he  served  a  while  in  an  appren- 
ticeship to  the  business  of  boat-building. 

The  population  of  the  island  still  increasing,  many  of  the  citizens 
turned  their  attention  to  other  parts,  and  were  induced  to  remove 
and  settle  elsewhere,  with  a  view  to  better  their  condition  as  to  pro- 
viding for  their  children,  etc.  Awhile  before  the  Revolutionary 
War,  a  considerable  colony  of  Friends  removed  and  settled  at  New 
Garden,  in  Guilford  county.  North  Carolina,  which  was  then  a 
newly-settled  country.  My  grandfather  Coffin  was  one  of  the 
number  that  thus  removed.  His  removal  took  place,  I  believe,  in 
the  year  1773.    He  had  ten  children,  eight  sons  and  two  daughters  j 


1776.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


11 


but  some  of  them  being  grown  up  and  married  did  not  remove  at 
first,  but  afterward.  My  father  was  then  about  seventeen  years 
old. 

My  father's  marriage  took  place  on  the  1st  day  of  the  Fifth- 
month,  1776,  in  the  twenty-first  year  of  his  age,  with  Hannah 
Dicks,  and  they  settled  in  the  same  neighborhood. 

The  Revolutionary  War  was  then  in  progress,  and  it  was  not  long 
after  this  until  the  citizens  of  that  part  of  the  country  felt,  in 
various  ways,  the  cruelty  and  horrors  of  such  a  conflict.  The 
force  and  efficiency  of  the  colonial  laws,  which  had,  of  course,  been 
sustained  by  the  power  of  the  British  government,  were  weakened 
and  abated,  and  rendered  almost  inoperative  for  the  suppression  and 
punishment  of  some  sorts  of  crimes.  The  asperity  and  hatred 
which  existed  between  two  parties  called  Whigs  and  Tories,  the 
first  of  which  were  the  revolutionists,  and  the  last  the  loyalists,  to 
the  British  sovereign,  may  be  named  as  two  of  the  principal  causes 
which  gave  latitude  to  many  outrages  and  murders;  and  the  general 
unsettlement  which  existed  in  political  afiairs  was  taken  advantage 
of  by  ruffians  and  robbers,  who  committed  many  depredations. 

When  the  armies  came  into  the  country,  families  also  frequently 
suffered  by  the  depredations  of  some  of  the  soldiery.  I  remember 
to  have  heard  my  father  relate  the  following  incident:  He  and  my 
mother  were  awakened  one  night  by  a  knocking  at  the  door,  where- 
upon he,  rising,  opened  the  door,  when  two  men,  armed  and  in  the 
habit  of  soldiers,  entered.  I  believe  father  and  mother  had  then 
their  second  child,  and  the  youngest  was  in  bed  with  them,  and 
mother  was  a  witness  to  what  passed.  Father  invited  the  soldiers 
(for  such  they  appeared  to  be)  to  the  fire,  and  kindly  offered  them 
seats;  kt  the  same  time  opening  the  fire,  and  desiring  them  to 
warm  themselves.  Very  soon  he  stepped  out  after  more  wood, 
which  one  of  the  men  observing,  followed  him.  My  father  had 
taken  up  the  wood,  and  was  about  returning,  when  he  observed  the 
soldier  after  him.  The  soldier  ordered  him  to  stop,  or  he  would 
"  blow  a  ball  through  him,"  but  my  father  went  quietly  forward 
without  appearing  to  regard  his  command,  and  was  suffered  to  enter 
into  the  house  without  the  execution  of  the  threat.  He  laid  the 
wood  upon  jthe  fire,  and  treated  the  men  kindly.  After  staying 
awhile,  without  seeming  to  be  able  to  execute  their  designs,  they 
departed  without  doing  any  mischief,  but  went  to  the  house  of  a 


12 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1781 . 


neighbor  and  committed  robbery.  I  believe  my  dear  father  ever 
looked  upon  his  preservation  and  protection  from  evil,  as  a  kind 
interposition  of  Divine  Providence  in  his  favor.  At  another  time, 
a  soldier  stole  and  carried  off  some  of  my  mother's  clothing,  which 
she  afterward  recovered  through  the  officers  of  his  company. 
'  The  battle  of  Guilford  occurred  in  the  Third-month,  1781,  near 
Martinsville,  which  at  that  time  and  for  a  considerable  time  after- 
ward, was  the  county  seat.  The  action  was  commenced  between 
scouting  or  advance  parties,  about  the  Cross-Koads,  a  little  to  the 
north  of  New  Garden  meeting-house,  about  five  miles  west  of  Mar- 
tinsville, and  several  were  killed  and  some  wounded  there.  The 
main  engagement  was  three  or  more  miles  eastward  of  this,  and 
about  one  mile  west  of  Martinsville.  My  father's  residence  was 
two  or  three  miles  from  the  battle-ground.  The  incessant  cracking 
of  the  musketry  and  roar  of  the  cannons,  were  therefore  plainly 
heard  by  the  family.  It  has  been  uniformly  spoken  of,  as  a  day  of 
great  solemnity  and  awfulness.  A  hired  man  in  my  father's  family 
was  recognized  by  some  soldiers  as  a  deserter,  and  forced  off  into 
the  army,  and  returned  to  my  father's  no  more.  During  the  pro- 
gress of  the  battle,  a  soldier  came  in  great  haste  to  my  mothei;  at 
the  dwelling,  having  two  of  his  fingers  shot  off  and  bleeding,  which 
she  kindly  dressed  for  him  as  well  as  she  could,  and  he  then  has- 
tened back  to  the  conflict.  My  father  went  to  the  ground  on  the 
next  morning,  and  was  an  eye-witness  of  the  dreadful  carnage  of 
the  day  before,  and  rendere'd  some  assistance  in  burying  the  dead 
bodies  which  were  lying  upon  the  ground.  A  house  near  the 
Cross-Roads  was  made  a  hospital  for  the  wounded,  and  New  Garden 
meeting-house  another.  The  neighbors  went  frequently  and 
assisted  in  nursing  the  wounded,  many  of  whom  died  of  their 
wounds  ;  and  those  who  died  at  the  meeting-house  were  interred 
in  the  grave-yard  there.  I  well  remember  a  large  grave,  crosswise, 
in  which  it  was  said  five  were  laid. 

After  the  battle  of  Guilford,  the  scenes  of  turmoil  and  war  in 
that  part  gradually  passed  away,  and  quietness  ensued;  and  the 
order  of  law  was  soon  established  and  the  independent  government 
of  the  State,  peace  being  concluded  in  1783. 

My  father  and  mother  now  had  an  increasing  family.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  names  of  my  brothers  and  sisters,  with  the  dates  of 
their  births  annexed ;  also  the  names  of  the  persons  they  married : 


1803.]  >  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


13 


Nathan,     born  Fifth-mo.         2,  1778,  lived  but  a  short  time. 

Elisha,  "  Eieventh-mo.  27,  1779,  married  Maja  M'Cuistion. 

Zacharias,    "  Fourth-mo.      5,  1782,        "      Phebe  Starbuck. 

Paul,  "  Third-mo.      23,  1784,       "      Elizb.  W.  Moody. 

Rebekah,  "  Second-mo.     27,  l786,       "      Robert  White. 

Hannah,  "  Fifth-mo.       15,  1788,       "      Thomas  Symons. 

Mary,  "  Eleventh-mo.  18,  1792,       "      Micah  Newby. 

^ethuel,  "  Eighth-mo.     20,  1795,  died  Seventh-mo.  2,  1799. 

Elijah,  "  Elevcnth-mo.  17,  1798,  married  Naomi  Iliatt. 

It  had  been  my  grandfather  Coffin's  prospect,  that  his  youngest 
son,  my  uncle  Abijah,  should  remain  with  him  upon  the  farm  at 
New  Garden,  owned  and  occupied  by  the  former,  and  minister  to 
his  wants  in  his  declining  years.  But  my  uncle  being  taken  away 
by  death,  arrangements  were  afterward  made  for  my  father  and  his 
family  to  remove  to  the  premises,  and  occupy  one  part  of  the 
dwelling,  which  had  been  prepared  for  two  families,  and  become  the 
care-takers  of  my  grandfather  and  grandmother  in  their  old  age. 
I  can  not  tell  in  what  year  this  removal  took  place,  as  it  was  before 
my  remembrance ;  yet,  after  I  was  born,  so  I  conclude  it  might  be 
about  the  year  1800. 

Farming  had  been  my  father's  business,  by  which  he  bad  ob- 
tained a  support  for  his  family  ;  but  in  addition  to  this,  which  he 
still  carried  on,  I  remember  that  he  entered  upon  two  other  enter- 
prises. One  was  merchandise,  which  he  pursued  for  a  few  years, 
while  he  could  have  the  use  of  some  capital  belonging  to  my  grand- 
father, which  was  called  in  after  the  decease  of  the  latter.  Another 
was  the  building  of  a  small  grist-mill,  on  a  little  stream  which 
passed  through  his  farm,  which  was  a  convenience  to  the  neigh- 
borhood for  awhile,  but  not  being  profitable,  was  sufiFered  to  go 
down. 

My  grandmother,  Priscilla  Coffin,  died,  I  think,  in  1803;  and 
my  grandfather,  William  Coffin,  soon  after,  in  the  same  year,  or  in 
the  forepart  of  the  next  year.  He  was  born  in  Nantucket,  in  1720, 
and  was  about  eighty-three  years  of  age  when  he  died.  She  was 
born  in  1722,  and  was  about  eighty-one  at  her  death.  They 
were  both  valuable  elders  in  the  religious  Society  of  Friends,  and 
were  highly  esteemed  and  honored  as  useful  and  leading  members 
Ln  society  and  in  the  community.    Being  solid,  religious,  venerable 


14 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1810. 


persons,  of  good  and  weighty  judgment,  they  were  placed  to  occupy 
the  head  of  the  meeting  at  New  Garden,  for  a  considerable  time, 
in  the  latter  part  of  their  lives.  And  having  finished  their  course, 
they  were  gathered  to  their  fathers  in  a  good  old  age. 

As  before  mentioned,  they  ha*d  a  large  family  of  children,  whose 
names  are  as  follows,  all  born  at  Nantucket : 

Libni  married  Hephzebah  Bunker. 

Deborah  married   Gardner,  Micajah  Terrell.  First  mar- 
riage at  Nantucket,  second  in  North  Carolina. 

William  married  Esther  Hunt,  Elizabeth  Vestal.  Married  in 
North  Carolina,  settled  in  New  Garden. 

Samuel  married  Mary  Duana,  Mary  Maey.  Settled  in  North 
Carolina. 

Barnabas  married  Phebe  Marshall.    Settled  in  North  Carolina. 

Matthew  married  Hannah  Mendenhall,  Hannah  Macy.  Settled  in 
North  Carolina.    Both  marriages  there. 

Bethuel  married  Hannah  Dicks,  Catharine  Macy.  Settled  in 
North  Carolina. 

Levi  married  Prudence  "Williams.    Settled  in  North  Carolina. 

Abijah  married  Elizabeth  Robinson.    Neither  lived  long. 

Priscilla  married  Asa  Hunt.    Died  soon  after. 

My  father  was  left  in  the  sole  occupancy  of  a  large  farm, 
with  his  little  stock  of  merchandise  and  a  mill  to  manage.  But 
a  division  of  my  grandfather's  effects  among  the  heirs  now  became 
proper.  He,  therefore,  brought  his  store  to  a  close,  and,  after  a 
few  years,  sold  off  a  part  of  the  land,  including  the  ancient  resi- 
dence and  large  orchard  of  apple  trees ;  and,  after  a  full  adjust- 
ment was  made,  settled  in  a  .dwelling-house  which  had  been  built 
by  my  oldest  brother,  on  another  part  of  the  land.  To  this  he 
removed  with  his  family,  Seventh-month  25,  1810,  in  my  twelfth 
year.  I  can  well  remember  that  at  this  time  my  mind  was  much 
interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  family. 

My  grandfather's  and  my  father's  house  had  long  been  a  place 
of  resort  and  entertainment  of  many  Friends  who  came  to  the 
neighborhood,  either  to  attend  religious  meetings  or  as  travelers 
for  the  promotion  of  the  Truth.  I  think  my  oldest  brothers  and 
sisters  well  remember  some  interesting  and  instructive  opportunities 
which  occurred  during  such  visits. 

I  was  in  the  practice  of  attending  Friends'  meetings  at  New 


1811.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


15 


Garden,  and  ray  mind  was  frequently  interested  therein,  particularly 
in  the  Yearly  Meeting.  I  can  remember  how  my  heart  was  reached 
and  affected,  while  quite  a  boy,  by  the  touching  and  powerful  min- 
istry of  Friends  who  published  the  gospel.  My  uncle  Barnabas 
was  clerk  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  a  considerable  time. 

In  1811,  my  sister  Hannah  was  married  to  Thomas  Symons,  and 
they  removed  to  Indiana  to  settle.  My  brother  Paul  was  also 
married  not  far  from  this  time  ;  my  brothers  Zacharias  and  Elisha 
and  sister  Rebecca  had  been  married  before;  so  that  now  there  were 
none  but  my  sister  Mary  and  myself  left  at  home  with  our  parents. 

My  dear  parents  were  very  kind  and  indulgent  to  me,  and  brought 
me  up  to  industry  and  application  to  our  business  of  farming,  by 
which  I  was  disciplined  in  mind  to  a  diligent  attention  to  lawful 
and  proper  business ;  yet  I  was  permitted  to  have  a  great  deal  of 
liberty  in  my  associations  with  others;  and  was  frequently  in  com- 
pany which,  at  that  age  of  vivacity  and  youthful  activity,  was 
hurtful  to  me,  and  the  injurious  effects  of  which  were  not  soon 
eradicated.  I  well  remember  that  after  giving  up  to  spend  the 
afternoon  of  a  First-day,  in  play  and  recreation  with  my  cousins 
and  others,  a  sad  night  of  bitterness  followed ;  and  yet  such  was 
my  desire  after  such  company,  that  I  frequently  fell  into  error  of 
this  kind,  by  giving  way  to  the  levity  of  my  disposition,  and  to  too 
much  light  conduct  and  conversation. 

I  can  well  remember  also  that  the  company  and  conversation  of 
many  persons  of  mature  age,  with  whom  I  frequently  associated  in 
the  work  of  our  farm,  was  far  from  being  profitable  or  exemplary; 
so  that  my  mind  was  employed  on  subjects  of  an  injurious  ten- 
dency. I  have  now  to  be  thankful  to  the  great  and  good  Preserver 
that  I  was  kept  out  of  any  great  sin,  or  from  the  commission  of 
any  crime  very  disreputable  or  scandalous ;  and  although  I  re- 
member, with  sorrow  and  shame,  many  froward  and  perverse 
things  in  my  behavior,  yet  I  was  considered,  by  some  who  knew 
me,  as  a  pretty  good  boy.  My  dear  father  did  much  to  instruct 
me  as  to  obedience  to  the  Spirit  of  Divine  Grace  upon  my  mind  as 
my  rule  and  guide,  and  was  well  pleased  with  my  ready  advance- 
ment in  learning,  when  opportunity  offered  for  me  to  go  to  school. 
But  our  schools  were  then  far  short  of  being  what  they  are  at 
present,  in  regard  to  the  facilities  and  qualifications  of  teachers,  etc.; 


16 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1816. 


and  as  my  services  were  much  needed  at  home,  my  opportunities  of 
school  were  limited. 

The  turn  of  my  father's  mind  was  decidedly  pious;  and  I  believe 
it  afforded  much  pleasure  to  him,  and  to  my  dear  mother,  who  was 
a  very  orderly  woman,  to  witness  what  was  pious  and  orderly  in 
their  children.  Their  attendance  of  religious  meetings  was  very 
regular,  and  we  were  encouraged  to  go  also.  I  believe  they  both 
desired  to  encourage  us,  by  precept  and  example,  in  the  ways  of 
righteousness.  My  father  was  upright  and  honorable  in  his  deal- 
ing; careful  to  comply  with  his  contracts;  to  give  good  weight  and 
measure ;  and  not  to  involve  himself  in  business  beyond  his  ability 
to  manage.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  proceedings  of  our  re- 
ligious society,  and  appeared  to  be  much  interested  in  the  company 
and  society  of  religious  persons. 

From  the  year  1811  to  1814  or  '15,  our  country  was  at  war  with 
England,  many  incidents  of  which  I  well  remember;  particularly 
do  I  remember  the  general  public  rejoicing  which  took  place  when 
peace  was  made. 

In  1816,  our  friend  Jeremiah  Hubbard  was  employed  as  teacher, 
to  occupy  a  school-house  which  had  been  newly  built  at  New 
Garden.  I  had  become  acquainted  with  him,  having  attended  his 
school  at  Deep  River  a  few  weeks  previously  to  his  coming  to  New 
Garden ;  and  now  I  was  employed,  for  a  short  time,  as  assistant 
teacher  in  his  school. 

During  this  service,  I  was  seized  with  a  violent  sickness,  which, 
for  awhile,  threatened  to  terminate  my  life.  After  a  protracted 
season  of  excruciating  suffering  at  one  time,  caused  by  the  disease 
and  medicines,  I  lost  all  consciousness  of  my  being.  I  remember 
to  have  awakened,  as  it  were,  from  this  condition,  finding  my 
father  and  mother  gently  bathing  my  extremities  with  vinegar, 
which  refreshed  me  ;  and  I  shall  never  forget  the  kind  and  tender 
softness  with  which  they  administered  the  soothing  hand,  all  in 
silence.  My  feelings  of  mind  were  extraordinary.  I  felt  as  inno- 
cent and  sweet  as  a  child,  and  happy  as  a  person  free  from  every 
impurity  and  every  uneasiness.  These  sweet  feelings  were  entirely 
free  from  any  excitement ;  and  whether  they  were  allowed  me  on 
account  of  my  real  condition,  or  whether  they  were  graciously 
afiforded  to  give  me  a  foretaste  of  that  happy  condition  in  which 
those  find  themselves  who  stand  in  perfect  acceptance  in  the  Divine 


1818.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


17 


sight,  I  am  not  now  about  to  say.  But  it  seems  to  me  yet,  on 
thinking  of  it,  that  my  feeling  of  peace  and  innooeucy  was  com- 
plete. I  had  no  more  pain  or  bodily  suffering  on  account  of  that 
sickness,  but  gradually  recovered  usual  health.  My  heart  is  tender, 
and  the  tear  starts  in  my  eye  now,  as  that  happy  scene  is  brought 
before  me. 

This  year  may  be  noted  as  about  the  time  when  the  first  ac- 
quaintance and  intimacy  between  me  and  Naomi  Hiatt,  the  daughter 
of  Benajah  and  Elizabeth  Hiatt,  first  took  rise;  and  that  intimacy 
of  feeling  was  never  broken  off,  but  continued  until  our  marriage, 
in  1820. 

s  I  was  employed,  I  think,  in  the  fall  of  1817,  to  teach  a  school, 
which  was  my  first  effort  in  that  business.  The  school  was  lively, 
and  quite  large  enough  as  to  numbers,  and  appeared  to  give  satis- 
faction. 

In  the  spring  of  1818,  I  undertook  a  school  at  New  Garden  for 
three  months,  which  was  prosecuted  until  near  the  close  of  the 
time,  when,  having  an  opportunity  of  the  company  of  my  friend 
Samuel  Nixon,  I  set  off  with  him  on  a  journey  to  the  western 
country,  with  the  approbation  of  my  father,  having  in  view  my 
own  improvement  and  the  prospect  in  future  of  emigration.  We 
traveled  together,  passing  through  the  western  part  of  North 
Carojina  and  a  part  of  Virginia,  across  the  mountains,  through 
■•St|^t;isee^4^ieai&cKy,  into  Indiana,  crossing  the  Ohio  at  New 
Albany.  We  stopped  a  few  days  among  relations  and  acquaint- 
ances near  Salem,  and  I  then  proceeded  to  Whitewater  alone,  and 
Samuel  Nixon  came  on  soon  afterward. 

I  spent  a  few  weeks  with  my  brother  and  sister  Syraons,  who 
resided  near  where  Milford  meeting-house  now  is,  during  which 
time  various  visiting  and  exploring  excursions  were  made,  which 
were  interesting  to  me.  One,  not  the  least  so,  was  a  trip  through 
the  native  wild  woods,  on  our  horses,  about  forty  miles  to  the 
northwest,  during  which  we  fell  in  with  the  native  Indians,  and 
staid  the  night  with  an  Indian  woman  in  her  hut,  in  a  village  of 
Delawares,  on  White  River.  We  were  out  several  days,  and  en- 
joyed good  health.  My  friend  Samuel  Nixon  and  I  remained 
together,  and  returned  through  the  State  of  Ohio,  by  the  way  of 
Chillicothe  and  Gallipolis,  where  we  crossed  the  Ohio  River;  thence 
up  the  Kanawha,  by  the  salt  works,  and  so  on,  up  New  River,  until 


18 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1820. 


we  fell  into  the  same  road  upon  the  mountains  upon  which  we  had 
gone  out.  1  was  absent  from  home  about  three  months,  and  re- 
turned in  improved  health,  greatly  interested  with  the  journey. 
After  which  I  again  engaged  in  teaching  school  at  New  Garden. 

On  the  2d  day  of  the  Second-month,  1820,  I  was  joined  in  mar- 
riage. This  engagement  was  felt  by  us  to  be  truly  a  solemn  one ; 
and  I  may  believe  was  entered  into  with  solemn  and  prayerful 
feelings  by  both  of  us.  After  many  years  of  experience,  thought 
and  observation,  I  am  fully  persuaded  that  marriage  is  a  divine 
ordinance ;  a  state  designed  for  man  in  the  creation  by  the  Creator 
himself,  and,  therefore,  when  rightly  entered  into,  will  contribute 
greatly  to  his  comfort  and  happiness  in  this  present  life ;  a  state  in 
which  the  parties,  by  obedience  to  duty,  will  be  enabled  to  fulfill 
more  perfectly  the  designs  of  their  creation. 

We  settled  upon  a  farm  near  New  Garden  meeting-house ;  and  I 
carried  on  the  business  of  the  farm,  in  a  small  way,  and  was  at 
times  also  engaged  in  a  school. 

My  dear  and  honored  mother  departed  this  life  on  the  10th  day 
of  the  Tenth-month,  1820. 

In  the  First-month,  1821,  our  first  child  was  born.  Below  is  a 
statement  of  our  children;  ^.-ffl^-^/^A^-v-t^-^^J 

Miriam  Allinson,  born  First-month  9,  1821.  W-V-  ^^i.^ /  ^ 

Charles  Fisher,  born  Fourth-month  3,  1823.  -  flAt^iM  d4.  4^^.^ 
William  Hiatt,  born  Ninth-month  26,  1825.2:  ^a*^  /tl(^9^ 
Eliphalet,  born  Eighth-month  25,  1828;  died  Fifth-month  5, 
1831. 

Caroline  Elizabeth,  born  Sixth-month  20,  1831.  ^-^'-^i/*-'  /^^ 

Mary,  born  Seventh-month  15,  1834.  ^'^iM^l^it^ 
Hannah  Amelia,  born  First-month  16,  1838.-^**' it'^'W^'  '^"^  ^ 
In  the  fall  of  1822, 1  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  Friends  in  North  Carolina,  and  my  friend  Zimri  Stuart  was  ap- 
pointed assistant.  On  looking  back,  it  now  excites  my  wonder 
that  two  persons  so  young,  and,  as  to  myself,  so  much  wanting  in 
religious  experience,  should  have  been  put  into  a  station  of  so  much 
importance.  We  were  both  ready  writers,  and  quick  and  active 
minded,  and  I  may  believe  well  intended  for  good;  and  I  also  be- 
lieve and  have  no  doubt  that  we  were  helped  and  blessed  by  the 
Head  of  the  Church,  unworthy  and  inexperienced  as  I  was,  to  do 
the  service  to  a  good  degree  of  satisfaction  to  Friends. 


1822.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


19 


I  can  now  remember,  with  feelings  of  shame  and  sorrow,  some 
instances  of  giving  way  to  light  conduct,  inconsistent  with  my  pro- 
fession, and  with  the  stations  which  I  was  called  upon  to  fill,  and 
unbecoming  to  that  gravity,  sobriety  and  weight  which  do  belong 
to  the  true  Christian  character.  It  is  probable  that  my  weakness 
in  that  respect,  was  not  extensively  known  among  Friends  ;  and  that 
some  who  did  know  something  of  it,  were  disposed  to  exercise  much 
charity  of  feeling  toward  me. 

I  have  ever  esteemed  highly  Christian  cheerfulness,  and  a  pleas- 
ant friendly  course  of  conduct  among  those  with  whom  we  associate ; 
and  this  is  the  more  to  be  valued,  as  being  the  effect  of  true  Cbris- 
tian  love  in  our  hearts  toward  our  fellow-men.  But  at  an  early 
age,  upon  serious  reflection,  I  was  sensible  of  going  too  far  in  giv- 
ing way  to  lightness  in  conduct  and  words,  and  had  some  concern 
to  improve  in  this  respect.  The  following  verses  were  composed 
upon  arriving  at  my  twentieth  year  of  age.  Eleventh-mo.  17,  1818. 

In  looking  back,  1  8ee  tlmt  I 

Have  been  remiss  in  many  ways, 
I  pray  that  I  may  hence  apply 

My  heart  more  to  virtue's  sway. 

The  jovial  scenes  of  fleeting  things. 

Light  as  the  air,  and  vainer  yet, 
Have  carried  hours  upon  their  wings, 

And  days  whose  loss  I  now  regret. 

Xhrough  all  the  wanderings  of  my  youth, 

My  mind  has  been  to  walk  the  way, 
To  fear  the  Lord,  and  love  the  Truth, 

And  not  with  willful  heart  to  stray. 

My  Saviour's  love  has  followed  through 

And  shown  m«,  by  his  Spirit  true. 
Compassion  for  my  sins  and  faults, 

And  drawn  my  mind  his  grace  to  view. 

The  following  are  some  reflections  written  in  the  forty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age,  upon  a  review  of  the  foregoing 
verses : 

1.  I  wish  to  corrjmemorate  God's  mercy,  through  Jesus  Christ, 
in  the  gift  of  his  Son,  for  man's  salvation ;  for  there  is  no  other 


20 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1823. 


name  given  under  heaven,  by  which  we  can  be  saved;  and  through 
him,  salvation  is  opened  to  all. 

2.  I  wish  to  eoniniemorate  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  by  which 
I  am  convinced  of  sin.  His  adorable  mercy  in  giving  frequent 
evidence  of  pardon  for  transgressions,  by  the  presence  of  His  good 
Spirit  in  peace. 

3.  I  wish  to  note  my  thanks  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  prospect 
and  works  of  the  Creation,  in  being  admitted  as  a  spectator;  one 
of  the  means  of  introducing  our  souls  into  the  consideration  of  the 
omnipotence,  infinite  wisdom,  and  glory  of  the  Creator. 

4.  For  the  gift  of  general  health;  and  of  a  sound,  though  deli- 
cate, constitution  of  body. 

5.  For  the  blessings  of  food  and  clothing,  which  He  has  been 
pleased  to  give  me,  in  sufficient  quantity. 

6.  For  the  blessing  and  enjoyment  of  a  companion — a  much-loved 
and  faithful  wife. 

7.  For  the  blessing  and  enjoyment  of  children. 

8.  For  the  blessing  of  a  competence  to  make  us  comfortable  to- 
gether.   For  all  these,  how  can  I  be  sufficiently  thankful? 

9.  For  the  enjoyment  of  religious  society,  and  of  peace ;  and  a 
good  degree  of  confidence  in  civil  society. 

10.  May  the  blessings  aforenamed  be  continued,  and  others 
granted  as  may  be  fit. 

The  continuance  of  the  favor  and  presence  of  God's  Holy  Spirit, 
particularly  His  reproofs  for  transgression  and  errors.  Also  a  sense 
of  approbation  of  what  is  pleasing.  "  Take  not  thy  Holy  Spirit 
from  me." 

Blessings  spiritual  and  temporal  to  each  one  of  our  family. 

11.  May  I  be  enabled  to  improve  the  talents  given  me  in  a  way 
pleasing  to  the  Giver. 

12.  May  the  decline  and  close  of  my  life  be  peaceful. 

13.  And  may  I  reach  and  enjoy  Heaven,  when  my  existence  here 
shall  be  closed. 

Richmond,  Fifth-month,  1843. 


In  the  Fifth-month,  1823,  I  set  off  as  companion  to  Jeremiah 
Hubbard,  upon  his  religious  visit  through  several  of  the  northern 
and  eastern  States.    We  attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Virginia, 


1833.]  LIFE   OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  21 

and  then  went  forward  throu^Mi  Baltimore,  IMiiladelphia,  New  York 
ajid  New  England  to  Newport  and  New  Bedford.  Thence  to  Nun- 
tucket;  thence  to  Falmouth.  Boston,  Lynn  and  Salem,  lleturti- 
ing,  we  came  to  Providence,  thence  to  Hartford,  Connecticut;  thence 
to  Nine  Partners,  New  York;  thence  via  Fishkill,  Newburg  and 
Quakertown  to  Philadelphia.  Here  I  left  Jeremiah,  and  returned 
home  in  time  for  our  Yearly  Meeting;  and  he  attended  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  Baltimore.  In  the  next  spring,  I  went  with  him  through 
the  eastern  parta  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  to  complete  his 
prospect.    These  journeys  were  of  great  interest  to  me. 

My  father's  second  marriage  took  place  in  the  year  1822  with 
Catharine  Macy. 

After  my  return  from  the  first  of  the  journeys  aforenamed,  we 
settled  temporarily  at  Hopewell ;  expecting  to  remove  and  settle  in 
the  western  country;  and  I  was  engaged  in  a  school  at  Hope- 
well. 

My  wife's  father,  Benajah  Hiatt,  having  also  determined  to  re- 
move with  hia  family,  we  set  off  together,  leaving  our  native  State 
in  the  P^ighth-montli,  1824.  We  were  favored  to  reach  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Milford,  Indiana,  in  about  four  weeks,  in  which  we  set- 
tled ;  and  I  took  up  a  school  in  the  village  of  Milton. 

My  father  also  removed  with  his  family  in  the  year  1825. 

I  was  appointed  clerk  of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  in  1827. 
About  this  time  there  was  much  difBculty  in  the  Society,  which 
resulted  in  a  separation.  In  the  year  1828,  Thomas  Shillitoe  attended. 

In  the  year  1829,  I  engaged  in  merchandise  at  Milton,  in  the 
retail  way,  in  which  business  I  continued  at  that  place  about  four 
years. 

Having  propositions  from  Griffin  &  Luckey,  wholesale  merchants 
in  Cincinnati,  I  engaged  in  their  store  in  1833,  and  removed  to  that 
city  with  my  family  in  the  Seventh-month,  having  brought  my  store 
in  Milton  to  a  close.  In  the  year  1832,  in  the  spring,  I  went  to 
Philadelphia  and  New  York  to  buy  goods,  bearing  Charles  Osborn 
company  as  far  as  New  York,  as  he  was  proceeding  upon  his  relig- 
ious visit  to  Europe.  I  did  well  with  the  goods,  but  felt  uncom- 
fortable under  the  debt  which  I  was  obliged  to  contract;  in  order  to 
procure  such  amount  as  my  business  appeared  to  call  for.  This 
uncomfortable  feeling  at  lying  under  debt,  was  probably  one  prin- 
cipal reason  of  my  relinquishing  the  retail  business,  and  taking  a 


22 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1883 


station  as  clerk  in  the  store  of  GrifSn  &  Luckey,  as  above-stated. 
In  the  last-named  station,  I  was  enabled  to  live  easy  as  to  debt.  I 
remained  with  them  about  a  year  and  a  half,  during  which  time, 
with  my  previous  experience  in  merchandise,  I  was  enabled  to  ac- 
quire a  fair  knowledge  of  business  and  commerce.  At  the  setting 
up  of  the  I3ranch  of  the  State  Bank  of  Indiana,  in  1834,  I  was 
chosen  cashier  at  Richmond,  and  removed  to  that:  place  with  my 
family  in  the  Eleventh-month.  My  dear  sister,  Rebekali  White, 
departed  this  life  during  our  residence  at  Cincinnati. 

In  the  station  of  cashier,  as  aforesaid,  I  remained  a  considerable 
number  of  years  ;  being  now  still  engaged  therein. 

My  dear  father  made  us  several  visits  at  Richmond  after  we  set- 
tled there ;  and  we  also  visited  him,  at  his  home  on  Blue  River. 
His  decease  took  place  in  1837,  and  he  was  buried  in  a  grave-yard 
near  Greensborough,  in  Henry  county,  Indiana. 

Having  proceeded  thus  far  in  giving  some  account  of  my  grand- 
father's family;  of  my  father's  family;  and  of  the  events  and  ex- 
ercises of  my  early  life,  I  may  now  suspend  that  part  of  the  narra-  ^ 
tive  and  proceed  with  my  notes. 


1848.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


23 


CHAPTER  II. 

Visits  to  Monthly  Meetings — First-day  Schools — Visit  to  Baltimore — 
Cholera — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting. 

Eleventh-month  11 ,  1848. — lam  this  day  fifty  years  of  age;  I 
find  my  outward  engagements  rather  too  pressing  upon  me  to  be 
quite  agreeable  ;  but  I  ought  to  acknowledge  many  favors,  many 
•ways,  and  to  endeavor  to  be  grateful  for  them.  How  could  I  desire 
to  improve,  in  a  spiritual  sense,  every  succeeding  day  that  I  live  ! 

18th. — A  very  busy  day  in  my  office.  I  frequently  fear  that  I  shall 
be  too  much  occupied  with  outward  things  for  my  spiritual  good. 
Plad  some  feeling  of  good,  beyond  what  I  thought  myself  worthy, 
more  particularly  toward  the  close  of  the  day,  and  in  the  evening. 

19th. — First-day. — A  deep  feeling  rested  upon  my  mind  last  night, 
in  view  of  the  great  change  which  is  hastening  to  end  my  earthly 
pilgrimage,  with  something  like  a  fear  that  I  am  not  well  prepared  for 
it.  My  prayers  have  been  for  a  better  preparation  ;  and  for  some- 
thing of  a  soul-satisfying  evidence  of  it,  before  my  final  departure. 

Letters  from  Waynesville  last  evening  informed  us  that  dear 
Rhoda  is  somewhat  more  comfortable  ;  we  feel  very  much  for  her 
and  dear  Charles — he  is  now  at  home  with  us.  Meeting  to-day ; 
considerable  solemnity. 

In  the  perusal  of  Elijah  Coffin's  Diary,  the  memory  of 
the  flowing  sympathy  which  his  afTectiooate  heart  cherished 
toward  each  member  of  his  family,  will  be  revived  in  nu- 
merous instances. 

The  preceding  memorandum  refers  to  an  illness  of 
many  months'  duration,  of  the  wife  of  his  son,  Charles,  who, 
during  the  winter  of  1848,  was  with  her  mother  at  Waynes- 
ville, Ohio,  under  medical  treatment. 

21st. — Meeting  of  the  school  committee  at  Whitewater  school. 
Some  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting's  branch  committee  iu  attendance. 


24 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1848. 


About  seventy  scholars;  in  good  order.  Occasion  of  some  in 
terest. 

22d. — Monthly  Meeting — much  businessi)  and  held  late.  Sev- 
eral of  the  Whitewater  branch  committee  on  education  present. 

Elcven'h-monlh  23-25. — Busy  days.  Dear  Charles  absent — gone 
to  Waynesville.  I  have  several  times  had  to  regret  making 
some  expression  which  might,  in  some  degree,  wound  the  feel- 
ings of  another — I  could  much  desire  afterward  I  bad  not  said 
it.  Some  feeling  of  good  has  attended  me ;  a  favor  for  which  I 
desire  to  be  thankful. 

2Gth. — Firsl-day. — Our  beloved  friends  Enos  Gr.  Pray  and  com- 
panion, in  one  company,  and  Sarah  M.  Hiatt  and  Deborah  Pening- 
ton,  and  their  companion,  in  another,  attended.  Enos  is  going  to 
Whitelick  and  Spiceland,  and  Sarah  is  returning  home.  They 
were  all  three  engaged  in  the  ministry — a  memorable  time,  it  seems 
to  me ;  in  which  we  have  renewed  evidence  that  the  Divine  favor 
has  not  left  us,  unworthy  as  we  are. 

29th. — Fourth-day. — Our  dear  Charles  being  absent  at  Waynes- 
ville, I  have  been  much  engaged  in  my  office  for  these  last  three 
days.  Some  disturbing  occurrences,  and  a  want  of  a  more  strict 
guard  over  myself  on  some  occasions,  have  disturbed,  in  some 
measure,  the  harmony  of  this  day.  Our  school  at  Whitewater  is 
very  lai'ge — the  behavior  of  the  scholars  in  meeting,  in  a  general 
way,  good — some  exception  was  noticed  to-day,  and  the  public  men- 
tion of  it,  it  seemed  to  me,  was  not  for  the  best.  The  evening  read- 
ing in  our  family  is  kept  up,  to  edification,  I  believe.  My  dear  wife 
has  been  reading  to  us,  David  Sands'  Journal,  which  is  entertaining 
and  instructive.'  I  have  just  finished  Jonathan  Hutcliinson's  Let- 
ters (a  very  instructive  book),  and  am  now  engaged  in  reading  to 
myself,  the  Life  of  William  Allen. 

Twelfth-month  1,  1848. — Sixth-day. — Our  Quarterly  Meeting'of 
Ministers  and  Elders.  The  day  being  inclement,  the  meeting  was 
small ;  but  not,  it  seemed  to  me,  destitute  of  some  feeling  of  good. 
Very  little  business.  Our  dear  Charles  still  being  absent.  I  thought 
it  best  after  meeting,  to  return  to  our  office,  for  the  relief  of  A.  C. 
Blanchard,  who  so  kindly  officiated  for  me,  so  I  was  not  present  at 
the  African  committee  or  Bible  auxiliary  association,  in  both  of 
which  I  have  a  lively  interest. 

2d. — Quarterly  Meeting.    Not  so  large,  as  at  some  times,  but 


1848.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


25 


pretty  quiet,  and  not  so  mucli  business  as  we  frequently  have.  Our 
dear  friend  Daniel  Williams  engaged  in  lively  testimony,  before 
business  was  opened.  After  the  Yearly  Meeting  minutes  had  been 
gone  through,  a  concern  was  opened  for  the  removal  of  deficiencies 
among  us ;  and  after  consideration,  the  meeting  came  to  the  con- 
clusion to  appoint  a  coniniittee  to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings  (a 
measure  which  was  proposed  upon  the  opening  of  the  concern). 
Daniel  Williams,  myse  If,  Jacob  Elliott,  Mordecai  Hiatt,  Joel  Gil- 
bert, Charles  H.  Moore,  Margaret  White,  my  dear  wife,  Abigail 
Morris,  Leah  Weesner,  and  Rebecca  Clawson  were  appointed. 

The  meeting  closed  under  a  good  deal  of  solemnity.  In  the  even- 
ing received  a  letter  from  our  dear  Charles  ;  the  news  is  sad  ;  dear 
Rhoda  is  not  considered  better.  Hope  for  her  recovery  begins  to 
grow  dim. 

3d. — First-day. — Meeting  not  very  large;  but  a  good  deal  so- 
lemn.   Much  communication  from  D.  W.  and  J.  H. 

6th. — Our  dear  Charles  came  home  this  morning.  He  reports 
dear  Rhoda  to  be  much  in  the  same  situation  as  awhile  past,  and 
fears  to  hope  that  she  is  permanently  better.  Our  business  en- 
gages us  now  very  closely.  A  good  Providence  blesses  me  with 
more  strength  than  I  could  well  have  expected,  and  with  good 
health.    May  I  consider  the  favor  gratefully. 

9th. — Seceitth-day. — My  dear  wife  and  I  left  home  early,  accom- 
panied by  Abijah  Moffitt,  to  attend  Westgrove  Monthly  Meeting, 
held  at  Fairfield,  with  the  committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting. — 
The  roads  are  so  muddy,  and  the  weather  so  much  unsettled,  that  I 
was  much  depressed  with  the  prospect  of  endeavoring  to  get  off; 
added  to  this,  was  a  sense  of  my  unworthiness  and  weakness  and 
errors.  But  we  were  favored  to  get  along  well  as  to  the  outward, 
so  as  to  arrive  in  good  time.  The  meeting  was  not  large  ;  all  the 
committee  were  present,  except  Abigail  Morris.  During  the  pro- 
gress of  the  business,  I  was  induced  to  speak  to  matters  before  the 
meeting,  in  which  I  afterward  felt  satisfaction.  At  the  close  of 
the  business,  the  partition  was  opened,  and  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
minute  on  the  state  of  Society  was  read.  Some  close  and  search- 
ing labor  followed.  I  was  induced  once  to  speak  so  plain,  that  I 
was  afraid  after  sitting  down,  but  was  fully  seconded  by  dear  Mar- 
garet White,  and  afterward,  on  a  review,  felt  peace  and  satisfaction 
in  this  and  other  labors  of  the  committee,  and  a  hope  that  the 


26 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1848. 


members  of  that  meeting  may  be  stirred  up  to  more  lively  devo- 
tion, and  greater  diligence  in  spiritual  things.  It  was  very  rainy 
in  the  afternoon,  and  our  little  company  went  after  meeting  to  our 
kind  friend  Jonathan  Baldwin's,  where  we  staid  during  the  night. 

10th. — Setoff  early  homeward ;  but  coming  to  Noland's  Fork, 
it  was  so  swollen  by  the  abundant  rain  of  the  preceding  day,  that 
we  could  not  safely  undertake  to  cross  the  stream  ;  and  after  con- 
siderable consultation  we  turned  about  and  proceeded  toward  West- 
grove  meeting,  which  we  attended.  My  dear  wife  had  some  good 
service,  I  believe.  We  dined  at  Mark  Elliott's;  and  in  the  after- 
noon visited  the  widow  Elizabeth  Cook  and  her  family,  and  staid 
the  night  at  Dillon  Haworth's,  at  whose  house  we  were  very  hospi- 
tably entertained.  We  had  an  interesting  interview  with  the  dear 
and  interesting  family  at  Scripture  reading  in  the  evening.  After 
some  time  in  silence,  I  addressed,  first  the  young  people  and  chil- 
dren in  a  simple  way,  and  then  the  parents ;  and  had  much  peace 
on  going  to  bed,  under  the  feeling  which  attended. 

11th. — We  were  very  kindly  conducted  across  the  stream  early 
in  the  morning,  by  our  friend  Dillon,  and  were  favored  to  arrive 
safely  at  home  about  ten  o'clock.  On  reviewing  the  proceedings 
of  the  two  past  days,  feelings  of  peace  and  satisfaction,  and  a  de- 
gree of  thankfulness  attended.  I  think  I  can  say,  I  am  glad  we 
were  there. 

13th. — Our  dear  friend  John  Pool  is  very  sick. 

15th. — Our  friend  aforesaid  continuing  very  sick,  has  requested 
an  interview  with  the  Ministers  and  Elders  of  our  meeting,  at  his 
bed  side.  He  seems  to  have  no  prospect  of  recovery.  A  very 
solemn  interview  was  accordingly  held — a  time,  I  believe,  not  soon 
to  be  forgotten.  I  felt  drawn  to  engage  in  vocal  prayer;  and  our 
hearts  were  much  tendered  together. 

Set  off  about  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  my  dear  wife  and  William  Ken- 
worthy  in  company,  toward  Hopewell,  to  attend  their  Monthly 
Meeting  to-morrow.  We  reached  Margaret  Morris'  about  ten  in 
the  evening,  having  had  considerable  difficulty  in  getting  along  the 
last  of  the  way,  on  account  of  the  darkness  of  the  evening — but 
were  very  kindly  received,  and  felt  comforted. 

16th. — Early  on  the  road  to  Hopewell — our  friend  Daniel  Wil- 
liams and  wife  in  company — we  reached  meeting  in  season,  and 
had  a  solemn  meeting,  particularly  toward  the  close.   The  commit- 


1848.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


4 

«.7 


tee  were  mostly  present,  and  their  labors  were,  as  I  believe,  search- 
ing and  stirring,  and,  so  far  as  I  can  judge,  well  received.  Called 
in  the  evening  and,  staid  the  night  at  our  friend  Jacob  Elliott's — 
several  other  Friends  also  being  there — much  to  our  satisfaction. 

17th. — First-dai/. — Attended  Westgrove  meeting;  dined  at  our 
friend  John  Maxwell's,  very  agreeably,  and  reached  home  in  the 
evening.  A  feeling  of  thankfulness,  I  believe,  attended  us,  upon 
thinking  of  the  favors  we  had  had,  finding  our  dear  family  well, 
etc.  John  Pool  considered  no  better ;  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife, 
very  ill. 

18th. — Our  dear  Charles  set  ofi"  for  Waynesville  about  noon. 
From  the  last  accounts  it  would  appear  that  his  dear  wife  has  not 
improved  much,  if  any. 

Something  like  murmuring  at  cross  or  unpleasant  circumstances 
has,  at  times,  I  believe,  been  an  injury  to  me. 

Twelfth-movth  19-23. — I  have  been  closely  engaged  in  my  office 
this  week.  Called  of  evenings  to  see  John  and  Elizabeth  Pool — 
except  the  last  two  —  prevented  by  indisposition.  John  better; 
Elizabeth's  recovery  is  looked  upon  as  doubtful.  I  attended  meet- 
ing on  Fourth-day,  as  usual.  Arrangement  was  made  for  my  dear 
wife  to  go  to  Milford  Monthly  Meeting,  but  failed :  the  streams 
high,  and  the  roads  very  bad. 

I  have  been  blessed  with  some  feeling  of  good  at  many  times 
during  the  past  days.  Our  usual  Scripture  portion  is  read  every 
morning — I  have  enjoyed  it,  the  few  days  past. 

24th — First-day. — Very  inclement.  My  indisposition  continu- 
ing, though  better,  it  is  thought  best  for  me  to  remain  about  the 
house  to-day.  Copied  the  certificates  of  our  dear  friend  Thomas 
Arnett  on  parchment,  preparatory  for  going  to  Europe  on  his  relig- 
ious visit.    Some  of  my  time  spent  in  prayer  and  reading,  alone. 

25th. — Elizabeth  Pool  died  this  morning  at  about  two  o'clock. 
My  dear  wife  was  sent  for  in  the  evening,  and  was  present  at  the 
closing  scene.  John  is  better.  This  is  set  down  as  the  birth-day 
of  our  blessed  Saviour.  May  I  often  think,  with  feelings  of  the  deep- 
est gratitude,  of  what  has  been  done  for  me,  and  for  all  mankind, 
in  the  great  love  and  mercy  of  Grod,  through  Jesus  Christ  our 
blessed  and  only  Saviour.  The  remembrance  of  his  goodness  is 
very  frequently  the  subject  of  my  thoughts.  It  is  by  the  good  gift 
and  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  that  I  am  made  sensible  of  the 


28 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1S48. 


Lord's  goodness  and  mercy  ;  wliat  an  inducement  then,  to  pray 
earnestly  for  it,  for  I  remember  the  promise  that  he  will  give  to 
those  that  ask  him. 

26th. — The  burial  of  Elizabeth  Pool  took  place  this  afternoon — 
leaving  the  house  at  one  o'clock.  After  the  interment,  a  meeting 
was  held,  and  considerable  spoken  in  the  ministry,  by  B.  F.  and 
J.  H. 

27th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Had  much  business,  as  usual.  George 
W.  Fisher  received  as  a  member.  The  Yearly  Meeting's  business 
reached  us,  and  was  disposed  of  in  a  satisfactory  manner,  but  the 
reading  of  the  minute  on  the  state  of  Society  was  postponed  until 
next  meeting,  when  it  is  expected  the  Quarterly  Meeting's  commit- 
tee will  be  here.  The  London  General  Epistle  was  read,  and  is, 
as  usual,  very  instructive  and  edifying.  I  remember,  particularly, 
that  part  which  proposes  to  us  the  solemn  queries,  whether  we  have 
experienced  repentance  and  regeneration,  producing  that  change  of 
heart  necessary  to  our  sanctification ;  a  preparation  required  in  or- 
der to  the  blessed  enjoyment  of  heaven,  and  that  part,  though  of  a 
more  outward  nature,  which  upholds  the  Christian  principle  of  the 
ultimate  full  settlement  and  payment  of  just  debts,  as  ability  to  do 
80  may  be  afforded,  although,  through  failure,  they  may  have  been 
long  delayed,  and  perhaps  a  legal  release  had. 

"We  hear  that  other  members  of  the  committee  failed  to  reach 
Milford  Monthly  Meeting  on  account  of  high  waters,  etc.;  we  are, 
therefore,  to  look,  I  think,  toward  attending  that  meeting  next 
month ;  and,  it  has  been  already  concluded,  to  endeavor  to  attend 
Springfield,  Whitewater  and  Chester  in  next  month. 

Twelfth-month  28-30. — Busy  in  my  office.  I  acknowledge  that 
I  have  been  favored  this  week  to  experience  a  good  deal  of  the 
feeling  of  good,  which  has  greatly  contributed  to  my  comfort  and 
enjoyment.  Dear  Charles  is  still  absent.  We  hear  rather  more 
favorable  accounts  of  dear  Rhoda's  condition. 

31st. — Meeting.  A  beautiful  day.  The  winter,  thus  far,  has 
been  very  mild  for  this  climate ;  scarcely  any  very  cold  weather. 
As  the  year  draws  to  its  close,  many  considerations  arise.  How 
much  have  I  improved  in  a  religious  sense  during  the  year?  How 
much  more  are  my  will  and  my  passions  subdued,  and  how  much 
more  am  I  devoted  in  heart  to  do  my  Heavenly  Father's  will  con- 
cerning me  ?  I  do,  indeed,  hope  there  is  some  improvement,  not- 


1848.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


29 


withstanding  my  many  short-comings  and  errors.  0  that  humil- 
ity, and  the  love  of  God  may  more  and  more  possess  my  soul  ! 

Many  important  things  have  occurred  during  the  past  year.  The 
war  of  our  government  with  Mexico  has  been  brought  to  an  end,  a 
circumstance  of  sincere  rejoicing  to  many  Christian  hearts.  The 
treaty  of  peace  gives  us  a  vast  addition  of  territory  to  our  hereto- 
fore widely  extended  country.  May  it  be  for  the  best.  There  is 
to  be  an  effort  made  to  prevent  slavery  from  existing  in  the  newly- 
acquired  territory ;  and  the  friends  of  that  measure  seem  now  to 
have  a  majority  in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  in  Congress.  I 
ardently  hope  they  may  succeed. 

Within  the  last  few  months,  it  has  been  discovered,  or  come  to 
be  known,  that  large  quantities  of  gold  may  be  found  on  the  Sac- 
ramento River,  and  in  that  region,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles 
from  San  Francisco,  in  California.  The  knowledge  of  the  fact  has 
just  become  general;  and  much  is  now  being  said  about  it  in  this 
country.  I  hear  that  many  adventurers  from  different  parts  are 
going,  and  preparing  to  go,  in  search  of  the  precious  metal,  and 
the  gains  expected  from  its  discovery.  The  mines  are  said  to  be 
rich. 

A  circumstance  which  has  deeply  interested  our  feelings  this  year 
is  the  marriage  of  our  dear  daughter,  Caroline  Elizabeth,  to  Wil- 
iiam  H.  Ladd,  on  the  24th  of  the  Eighth-month,  and  her  removal 
to  Ohio  soon  afterward.  We  believe  that  the  dear  young  people 
desired  to  be  rightly  directed  in  this  momentous  engagement,  and 
they  entered  into  it  in  a  very  solemn  and  satisfactory  manner. 

It  was  truly  affecting  to  us  to  part  with  our  dear  child  from  our 
little  family  circle,  and  to  lose  her  much  valued  company  and  truly 
affectionate  intercourse.  But  believing  that  marriage  is  a  divine 
institution,  and  honorable  in  all,  when  rightly  entered  into,  it  is 
rather  to  be  encouraged  than  opposed ;  we  therefore  gave  up  our 
dear  child,  and  our  tender  wishes  went  with  her  and  her  beloved 
husband,  for  their  best  welfare,  present  and  future. 

It  appears  from  accounts  recently  received  that  that  awful  scourge, 
the  cholera,  is  undoubtedly  upon  the  continent  again;  a  few  cases 
have  occurred  at  New  York  ;  we  hear  quoted  an  alarming  report 
from  New  Orleans;  and  it  is  pretty  well  given  up,  at  least  by  many, 
that  a  case,  or  a  few  cases,  have  occurred  at  CincinnatL 


30 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


First-month  1,  1849. — Very  busy  in  my  office,  though  with  doors 
closed ;  our  dear  Charles  being  yet  absent. 

3d. — Meeting.  Marriage  of  Dennis  Kendall  with  Rebecca  Jane 
Hill.  They  appear  to  be  very  young  to  enter  into  this  solemn  en- 
gagement, but  have  proceeded  with  full  consent.  IMay  the  Divine 
blessing  attend  them.  I  had,  at  their  particular  desire,  prepared 
the  certificate — Levi  Jessup  read  it.  B.  C.  Hobbs  spoke  at  our 
last  Preparative  Meeting;  and  the  second  time,  to-day,  in  the  way 
of  the  ministry. 

4-6th. — Exceedingly  engaged  in  my  office;  dear  Charles  be- 
ing still  absent.  The  good  presence  of  the  Lord  has  been  with 
me  many  times  this  week,  affording  me  some  sweet  enjoyment;  yet 
I  have  been  so  much  pressed  with  outward  business,  as  to  feel 
rather  chafed  by  it,  for  the  best.  I  ought  to  be  greatly  thankful 
for  my  excellent  health  through  so  much  labor ;  I  have  been  very 
weary  of  evenings,  but  the  blessing  of  good  rest  at  night  has  re- 
freshed me,  and  renewed  my  strength  and  energy.  My  valued 
friend,  A.  C.  Blanchard,  has  rendered  me  essential  assistance  in  my 
office,  during  the  absence  of  our  dear  son.  Accounts  received  from 
Waynesvillo  rather  gloomy  concerning  dear  Ehoda.  Had  interest- 
ing and  truly  cordial  letters  from  our  dear  children,  Miriam  and 
Caroline,  this  week.  It  is  very  pleasant  to  hear  that  the  former, 
and  her  dear  family,  are  well.  And  from  the  latter,  that  her  dear 
husband  and  herself  have  just  got  agreeably  settled,  to  themselves, 
in  their  own  new  house. 

7th. — First-day. — We  were  gladdened  this  morning  by  the  re- 
turn home  of  our  dear  Charles — though  he  reports  the  condition  of 
his  dear  wife  to  be  much  as  it  has  been,  without  any  certain  im- 
provement. 

Meeting.  Favored  in  some  degree  with  the  feeling  of  Divine 
love.  After  dinner,  went  to  the  boarding-school,  and  had  an  af- 
fectionate interview  with  the  teachers,  Lewis  and  Huldah  A.  Estes. 
Dear  Lewis  is,  I  fully  believe,  religiously  engaged;  I  hear  he  some- 
times speaks  in  the  religious  meetings  at  the  school.  May  the 
dear  man  be  preserved  and  strengthened  in  the  right  way. 

Supped  at  table  with  the  scholars — about  forty-three  in  number — 
their  conduct  very  good. 

10th. — Meeting.  Committee  on  the  increase,  etc.,  o-f  our  library 
at  Whitewater.    Staid  part  of  the  afternoon  ia  the  school,  which 


1849.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  31 

appears  to  be  in  very  good  order,  under  the  administration  of  Wil- 
liam Haughton,  as  principnl,  and  James  W.  Marmon,  as  assistant 
teacher.  The  scholars  making  good  progress,  I  should  think,  in 
their  studies. 

13th. — Accounts  from  New  Orleans  represent  that  the  cholera  is 
abating  there.  It  appears  to  have  been  most  severe  from  about  the 
24th  to  the  close  of  last  month.  About  ninety  are  reported  to  have 
died  on  the  worst  days.  By  the  last  telegraphic  reports,  the  num- 
ber of  deaths  daily  has  decreased  to  fifty  or  under.  Several  cases 
have  occurred  at  Cincinnati ;  but  it  does  not  seem  to  rage  there  yet 
as  an  epidemic. 

In  reviewing  the  past  week,  I  am  sensible  of  some  errors,  which 
have  given,  and  do  give  me,  pain;  yet  favors  have  attended  me,  for 
which  I  desire  to  have  a  grateful  heart.  My  prayer  is,  that  I  may 
improve,  and  with  the  help  of  Divine  grace,  make  greater  advance- 
ment in  the  subjugation  of  myself,  and  in  bearing  as  I  ought  to  do 
my  infirmities. 

14th. — A  silent  meeting.  I  believe  the  feeling  of  good,  and  a 
good  deal  of  solemnity  attended. 

Fir^-montli  15. — Jared  Patterson  came  into  town,  on  his  way  to 
perform  a  visit  to  some  of  our  eastern  quarterlies  :  Anna  Thornburgh 
and  companions  also  in  company.  Jared  desired  to  have  a  meeting 
in  town  for  the  citizens;  so,  after  some  consultation,  it  was  agreed  to 
apply  for  the  use  of  the  Methodist  meeting-house,  which  was  done, 
and  the  house  obtained,  and  notice  of  the  meeting  circulated  to  be 
held  at  six  o'clock  this  evening.  While  we  were  at  dinner,  our 
dear  sister,  Anna  Unthank,  came  in,  together  with  her  son  Morde- 
cai,  and  his  wife,  Eliza  Jane  (recently  married).  We  are  glad  to 
see  our  relatives. 

16th. — The  meeting  was  held  last  evening,  and,  though  not  very 
large,  was  in  a  good  degree  satisfactory.  Jared  and  Anna  both 
spoke  in  the  ministry,  and  a  part  of  the  time,  it  seemed  to  me  the 
gospel  triumphed  over  the  assembly,  in  which  there  was  much  so- 
lemnity. The  meeting  parted  very  seriously,  and  I  think  in  much 
good  feeling.  Our  relations  staid  with  us  last  night,  and  left  us  to- 
day to  go  to  James  Cockayne's.  I  have  felt  great  sympathy  for 
the  dear  young  pair,  who  are  newly  setting  out  for  themselves;  and 
some  serious  remarks  to  them  on  some  important  subjects,  appeared 
to  be  well  received. 


32 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


Visited  Whitewater  school  in  the  afternoon  with  the  committee, 
and  wns  interested.  The  committee  adopted  a  report  to  the 
Montlily  Meeting. 

17th — Preparative  Meeting.   Finished  a  letter  to  .Josiah  Foster. 

20th. — Springfield  Monthly  Meeting,  which  I  and  my  dear  wife 
attended,  with  others  of  the  committee.  We  had  solid  icy  roads, 
and  went  from  our  home  in  the  morning.  The  meeting  was  small ; 
yet  some  feeling  of  good  Was  experienced  in  a  portion  of  the  time. 

21st. — Set  off  early  from  our  cousin  Barnabas  Coffin's,  at  whose 
house  we  had  been  kindly  entertained ;  got  our  carriage  tongue  broke, 
by  the  fall  of  one  of  our  horses  upon  the  road,  and  yet  were  favored 
to  reach  Dover  meeting  seasonably — which  was  small.  We  dined  at 
our  friend  Walter  Robert's,  and  before  parting  had  an  interesting 
interview  with  the  family  of  young  people,  his  daughters  and  the 
husband  of  one  of  them.  Reached  home  in  the  evening,  peace- 
fully. 

23d. — Acting  committee  at  the  boarding-school.  Had  an  inter- 
esting interview  with  the  scholars  in  the  afternoon.  I  addressed 
them,  much  to  my  satisfaction  and  peace. 

2-l:th. — Monthly  Meeting.  All  but  one  of  the  committee  present. 
Our  dear  friend  Benjamin  Fulghum  opened  a  concern  to  visit  West 
Branch  and  New  Garden  Quarterly  Meetings,  and  some  subordinate 
meetings,  and  to  appoint  a  meeting  at  Newport,  which  was  freely 
and  fully  united  with,  and  he  encouraged  to  attend  to  it.  Our 
friend  John  Pool  offered  to  go  with  him,  and  was  united  with. 
The  committee  had  some  searching  and,  I  hope,  useful  service 
toward  the  close.  Many  interesting  matters  were  before  the  meet- 
ing to-day. 

25th. — High  water.  I  was  much  hurried  with  different  concerns 
and  under  discouragement  this  morning ;  but  got  off,  low  in  mind, 
to  Chester  Monthly  Meeting;  my  dear  wife  with  me.  The  meeting 
was  small,  and  was  very  low  in  mind  during  the  forepart  of  it. 
The  committee  had  some  excellent  and  appropriate  service,  and  the 
meeting  closed  under  a  sense  of  Divine  favor. 

First-month  26. — Arose  very  low  and  depressed.  The  waters  are 
high,  and  to-morrow  is  Milford  Monthly  Meeting,  which  we  have 
agreed  to  endeavor  to  attend.  Set  forward  in  the  afternoon  with 
other  friends,  but  were  stopped  at  Greensfork,  it  being  considered 


1«49.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


33 


too  high  for  our  carriage.  Found  a  comfortable  entertaimneTit  at 
Thomas  Marlat's,  near  by. 

27th. — Crossed  the  creek,  and  went  forward  to  meeting.  Part 
of  our  committee  did  not  get  along.  Some  of  us  had  affecting  and 
deeply  important  labor,  which  seemed  to  be  well  received ;  and  the 
meeting  closed  under  a  sense  of  favor,  and  we  were  induced  to  be- 
lieve that  it  was  best  for  us  to  be  there.  After  a  short  visit  to  our 
dear  aged  mother,  we  went  to  our  friend  Charles  H.  Moore's,  and 
staid  the  night.  He  has  lately  appeared  in  the  ministry,  and  my 
heart  is  much  united  with  him. 

28th. — First-day. — We  set  off  early,  and  reached  our  own  dear 
home  just  in  time  to  get  to  our  own  meeting.  There  is  cause  for 
gratitude  to  the  Father  of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all  comfort,  on 
looking  back  at  the  exercises,  the  labors*  and  favors  of  the  past 
week.  This  work  of  visiting  the  Monthly  Meetings  has  been  truly 
a  weighty  service;  but  we  have  been  helped  in  it.  and  there  is 
good  reason  to  believe  that  the  labors  may  and  will  be  useful  to 
many. 

Our  dear  Charles  set  off  very  soon  after  dinner  to  Waynesville  ; 
the  accounts  received  from  his  dear  wife  are  not  favorable;  we  feel 
exceedingly  with  them,  and  so  does  a  large  circle  of  their  friends 
and  acquaintances. 

30th. — Harvey  Derbyshire  and  wife,  Susanna,  arrived  here  this 
afternoon;  Jesse  Hoover  and  Rebecca,  his  wife,  with  them,  from 
West  Branch.    All  staid  at  our  house. 

31st. — Fourth-day. — At  meeting  to-day,  after  sitting  some  time 
in  silence,  Harvey  spoke.  It  seemed  to  me  that  the  good  Spirit 
was  with  him.  He  is  to  go  to  Orange  to-morrow;  Smyrna,  next 
day;  and  Chester  on  Seventh-day. 

Srcond-month  2,  1849. — This  is  the  day  on  which  my  dear  wife 
and  I  were  united  in  marriage,  at  New  Garden,  in  North  Carolina, 
in  the  year  1820,  now  twenty-nine  years  ago.  This  was  a  move- 
ment so  deeply  interesting  to  both  of  us,  and  so  momentous  in  its 
consequences  as  connected  with  our  happiness  in  this  present  life, 
that  it  comes  into  my  mind  very  frequently  at  other  times  in  the 
year,  when  the  date  is  brought  into  view.  I  have  ever  regarded 
our  matrimonial  connection  as  one  of  Divine  ordering ;  have  ever 
esteemed  marriage  as  honorable  in  all,  when  rightly  entered  into; 
and  many  have  been  my  grateful  feelings  that  a  good  Providence 


34 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


broujrht  iis  together.  I  have  ever  looked  upon  the  gift  to  me  to 
be  one  of  those  precious  blessings  for  which  I  ought  ever  to  be 
thankful. 

The  day  passed  away  in  a  good  degree  of  comfort,  and  the 
evening  was  spent,  in  part,  as  part  of  many  others  lately  have  been, 
in  hearing  my  dear  Naomi  read  in  the  Memoirs  of  Maria  Fox.  It 
seems  to  me  that  some  of  th6  experience  related  in  that  journal, 
which  was  read  this  evening,  is  exactly  my  own. 

4th. — My  dear  wife  and  I  went  to  the  boarding-school  to-day 
(First-day).  Wo  were  at  part  of  the  morning  reading  in  the  boys' 
room;  at  the  Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven  o'clock;  and  at  the 
Scripture  reading  and  recitations  at  two  o'clock.  I  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  meeting,  and  felt  the  responsibility  of  such  a  situa- 
tion. Dear  Lewis  A.  Estes  appeared  in  supplication,  and  my  dear 
Naomi  afterward  spoke.  Dined  with  the  family.  Returned  home 
about  four  o'clock  P.M.,  and  in  the  evening  we  read  together,  as 
usual ;  my  dear  wife  read  a  portion  in  the  Memoirs  of  Maria  Fox, 
a  truly  instructive  book ;  and  I  read  a  portion  in  the  Life  of 
William  Allen,  in  which  I  am  also  much  interested. 

Accounts  from  Waynesville  sad.  Our  dear  Rhoda  does  not 
appear  to  mend  as  yet. 

T  look  back,  with  feelings  of  quietness  and  some  satisfaction,  to 
our  visit  at  Milford  Monthly  Meeting.  I  was  much  tendered,  and 
broken  into  profuse  weeping ;  and  after  the  partition  was  opened, 
I  addressed  the  meeting  on  the  awful  subject  of  the  general  day  of 
account.  I  felt  it  to  be  an  awful  subject,  particularly  for  me,  to 
speak  upon.  I  was  deeply  affected,  and  the  meeting  appeared  very 
serious.  May  the  exercises  be  useful  to  me,  particularly,  as  well 
as  others. 

6th. — Our  dear  Charles  came  in  unexpectedly  to-day,  and  brings 
us  a  better  account  from  his  dear  alHicted  wife,  which  we  are  all 
truly  glad  to  hear. 

9th. — Finished  a  letter  to  John  Allen,  of  England.  I  remember 
this  dear  friend  with  great  aifeetion. 

10th. — Wrote  to  Eli  Jones  and  Sybil,  his  wife,  at  South  China, 
Maine.  These  beloved  Friends  attended  our  Yearly  Meeting,  and 
made  their  home  at  our  house,  in  18-45.  I  first  became  acquainted 
with  them  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Ohio,  that  year. 

This  week  has  been  rather  a  quiet  week.    Our  office  business 

\ 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


35 


has  not  pressed  us  so  closely  as  at  some  other  times  before  now; 
and  I  ought  to  be  grateful  for  the  feeling  of  good  which  has 
attended  us. 

13th. — School  committee,  and  at  school  at  Whitewater  in  the 
afternoon.  Matters  appear  to  be  going  on  pretty  agreeably. 
William  Haughton,  principal,  and  James  W.  Marmon,  assistant, 
teachers. 

14th. — Meeting.  Conference  of  Elders  after  meeting.  There 
has  been  much  uneasiness  about  too  much  .speaking  in  our  meet- 
ings;  and  the  party  has  now  been  fully  adnionished,  and  I  am 
thankful  that  it  has  been  done,  through  Divine  favor,  in  a  spirit  not 
to  hurt,  I  believe. 

Second-montli  15. — Cold,  two  degrees  below  zero,  this  morning. 
We  have  not  noticed  it  to  be  lower  than  about  five  degrees  above 
before,  this  winter.  The  winter  has,  upon  the  whole,  been  rather 
mild.  We  hear  good  account  of  our  dear  llhoda  at  Waynesville, 
and  of  our  dear  Miriam  at  Cincinnati,  who  has  also  been  much  in- 
disposed. It  is  cause  of  rejoicing  and  gratefulness  that  they  are 
better. 

IGth. — Mercury  one  degree  below  zero  this  morning.  Some  of 
the  remarks  of  Eliphaz,  in  the  fourth  and  fifth  chapters  of  the  Book 
of  Job,  which  we  read  this  morning,  seem  to  me  remarkable.  May 
I  not  take  instruction  from  the  third,  fourtli  and  fifth  verses  of  the 
fourth  chapter  ?    A  large  part  of  the  fifth  chapter  is  sublime. 

18th. — First-day. — Harvey  Derbyshire  and  wife  attended  our 
meeting.  Since  being  here  before,  they  have  been  at  most  of  the 
meetings  in  Chester  and  Springfield  Monthly  Meetings,  and  in 
New  Garden  Quarterly.  Harvey  gave  us  an  afi"ecting  account  of 
his  religious  experience,  and  spoke  otherwise  appropriately  for  our 
benefit.  What  a  blessing  it  is,  from  the  good  Hand,  that  we  are 
still  visited  with  the  message  of  the  gospel.  His  mercy  and  good-  ^ 
ness  herein  should  increase  our  zeal  for  his  name,  and  our  weak 
desires  after  greater  dedication  to  become  fttllij  his  servants. 

Dear  Charles  set  oflf,  soon  after  dinner,  to  Waynesville. 
^   19th. — Cold.  3Iercury  five  degrees  below  zero  at  half  p:)st  seven 
o'clock. 

21st. — Fourth-day. — Preparative  Meeting.  Select  Preparative 
Meeting.  Harvey  Derbyshire  in  attendance.  In  the  select  Pre- 
parative Meeting,  I  felt  most  easy  to  propose  that  our  beloved 


36  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1849. 

fricrul  AV.  K.  be  appointed  to  tlie  station  of  au  Inkier,  which  was 
united  with  by  nearly  every  one  present;  and  his  name  is  for- 
warded. 

2ith. — Received  a  sad  telegraphic  message,  announcing  to  us 
the  decease  of  James  Parnell  Eanibo,  aged  about  fifteen  months, 
youngest  son  of  our  dear  children,  Wm.  A.  and  Miriam  A.  Eamho, 
near  Cincinnati.  His  funeral  is  to  be  on  the  25th.  We  feel  deeply 
for  the  affliction  of  our  dear  children,  in  the  loss  of  this  interest- 
ing little  boy.  But  the  dear  child,  though  precious  to  his  dear 
parents  and  to  us,  is  taken  away  by  a  good  and  wise  Providence,  in 
whom  we  ought  to  have  full  confidence,  from  a  world  of  many 
temptations  and  tribulations,  in  a  state  of  innocency,  to  be  an  in- 
habitant of  that  glorious  world  where  temptation,  sin,  sorrow  and 
misery  are  unknown  ;  ought  we  not,  then,  rather  to  rejoice  in  that 
he  is  mercifully  delivered  from  many  evils  to  come? 

25th. — First-d(jy. — Some  excellent  testimony  in  the  early  part  of 
the  meeting  to-day;  but  a  vei-y  painful  season  toward  the  close. 
Our  friend  H.  J),  present.  Wrote  to  our  dear  children  at  Cincin- 
nati. Favorable  accounts  from  our  dear  children  at  Waynesville, 
for  which  we  ought  to  be  grateful. 

S'-'cond  month  27. — Dear  Charles  caiue  home  to-day;  his  precious 
wife  not  quite  so  well. 

28th. — Monthly  Meeting.  I  thought  it  right  to  expose  to  the 
meeting  that  I  felt  some  impressions  of  religious  concern  to  visit, 
in  the  love  of  the  Truth,  for  tlieir  help  and  encoui«agement  in  a 
Christian  life,  some  young  families,  members  of  the  meeting,  and 
some  single  young  persons.  Friends  very  generally  united  with 
the  concern,  and  encouraged  me,  which  was  humbling;  and  my 
dearly  loved  friends,  Benjamin  Fulghum  and  Levi  Jessup,  each 
expressed  an  engagement  to  unite  with  me  in  the  service,  which 
was  also  united  with,  and  was  cordial  to  me,  and  minutes  were 
made  out  expressive  of  our  case,  desiring  us  to  report. 

My  dear  wife  afterward  came  in,  and  opened  a  concern  to  visit, 
in  gospel  love,  the  families  of  Friends  belonging  to  Whitewater 
and  Milford  Monthly  Meetings,  which  was  fully  united  with,  and 
minute  made,  so  expressing  it. 

TJurd-month  2  and  3. — Quarterly  Meeting,  which  I  and  my  dear 
wife  attended.    Roads  exceedingly  bad.    Meeting  small,  but  some 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


37 


favor  attended.  We  reached  the  meeting  at  the  boarding-school, 
upon  our  return,  First-day  morning,  4th. 

10th. — I  and  my  dear  friends  aforenamed  have,  during  the  past 
week,  visited  several  families,  in  prosecution  of  our  concern.  Though 
at  times  in  the  feeling  of  much  weakness,  yet  we  must  acknowledge 
that  we  have  been  helped.  May  we  be  favored  to  keep  low,  and  to 
do  what  we  do  in  the  simplicity  of  an  honest  and  faithful  heart. 
We  have  been  very  kindly  received  in  nearly  all  cases,  so  lar. 

17th. — Closely  engaged  this  week  in  my  office.  Charles  gone  to 
Waynesville. 

24th. — Visited  this  week  several  young  families  and  young  per- 
sons, in  prosecution  of  our  concern.  My  dear  wife  went  toward 
Milford  yesterday.  To-day  their  Monthly  Meeting  is  licld,  in 
which  her  concern  is  to  be  opened. 

25th. — Started  soon  after  breakfast  to  Smyrna;  Benjamin  and 
Levi  with  me.  Meeting  sat  at  half  past  nine  o'clock;  was  small, 
but  some  favor  attended.  In  the  afternoon,  we  had  some  service 
in  our  visit,  and  returned  home  in  the  evening,  in  feelings  of  ac- 
knowledgment for  the  favors  which  had  been  with  us.  Met  my 
dear  wife  at  home,  she  having  reached  our  meeting  this  morning. 
Milford  Monthly  Meeting  united  with  her  concern,  and  appointed 
a  committee  to  assist  her.  Dear  Margaret  White  has  been  looked 
to  as  having  a  like  concern,  and  as  disposed  to  join  my  dear  wife 
in  the  service;  but  she  (M.  W.)  is  sick,  and  at  present  unable,  but 
she  sent  her  concern  to  join  in- visiting  the  families  of  Milford  to 
that  Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  united  with. 

Third-month  26. — Attended  further  to  our  service  with  the 
young  people. 

27th. — Acting  committee  of  boarding-school,  which  I  attended. 
Things  went  on  pretty  well.  Twenty-three  boys  and  seven  girls  in 
school.  Mary  Gough  has  just  taken  her  place  as  teacher  of  the 
girls.  B.  C.  and  R.  T.  Hobbs  have  been  continued  superintendents 
for  the  present  session,  just  commen-ied. 

28th. — Monthly  Meeting.  We  made  our  report  concerning  our 
visit  to  the  young  people.  In  the  men's  meeting  much  satisfaction 
was  expressed,  and  some  in  the  women's.  A  committee  on  First- 
day  schools  was  appointed.  My  dear  wife  commenced  her  labors 
this  afternoon  ;  William  Kenworthy  and  Gulielma  Henley  are  her 
companions. 


38 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


In  reviewing  our  visit  to  the  young  people,  I  feel  a  substantial 
satisfiiction.  I  believe  we  were  fiivored  to  attend  to  our  concern  iu'a 
good  degree  of  simplicity  :  for  this  we  ought  to  be  humbly  grateful. 
I  think  we  have  been  made  sensible  that  of  ourselves  we  could  do 
nothing  wliich  could  be  serviceable  in  promoting  the  great  and  good 
cause  of  Truth  ;  for  all  right  movements  in  this  cause,  we  must  be 
I'avored  with  Divine  ability.  We  visited  about  fifteen  families  of 
young  persons,  and  iroiu  fifteen  to  twenty  individuals  beside;  and 
distributed  several  copies  of  the  Scriptures.  As  the  service  has 
been  humbling,  may  it  result  in  the  permanent  improvement  of  our 
own  hearts,  and  increase  our  willingness  to  surrender  ourselves 
more  fully  to  obedience  to  our  Heavenly  Creator;  and  to  faithful- 
ness in  small  intimations  of  duty  even  in  small  things,  which  we 
have  been  much  engaged  to  recommend  to  others. 

Felt  very  low  in  the  evening. 

Committee  on  the  library  at  Whitewater  met.    Got  along  well. 
29th. — 3Iy  dear  wife  out  upon  her  concern.  I  am  much  depressed 
in  spirit. 

Fourtli-movth  1,  1849. — First-day. — Our  committee  on  First-day 
schools  stopped  togetiier  after  the  ri<e  of  our  meeting.  A  pretty 
good  feeling  appeared  to  prevail.  Agreed  to  open  the  school  at 
Whitewater  two  weeks  from  to-day.    Selected  teachers,  etc. 

5th. — iMy  dear  wife  still  absent  on  her  visit.  We  were  made  sad 
this  afternoon  by  a  telegraphic  message  from  Waynesville,  that  dear 
Charles'  dear  boy  is  very  ill.  Charles  set  off  about  four  o'clock  p. 
M.,  on  horseback. 

9th. — We  hear  more  favorable  accounts  from  our  dear  children  at 
Waynesville.  jMy  dear  wife  came  in  this  morning  from  Smyrna; 
she  has  now  nearly  completed  all  her  visits  to  the  families  of  our 
Monthly  Meeting.  Rebecca  Clawson  has  been  her  companion  to 
the  families  at  Smyrna. 

11th. — Fourth-day. — My  dear  wife  and  friend,  Wm.  Kenworthy, 
set  ofi"  about  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  for  Milford.  expecting  to  visit  the 
families  of  Friends  of  that  Monthly  Meeting.  They  expect  to  be 
joined  by  our  dear  friend,  Margaret  White.  Received  a  telegraphic 
messaee  from  Dayton,  that  our  dear  children,  Charles  and  Rhoda, 
little  Elijah,  and  Phebe  Johnson,  are  on  their  way  from  Waynes- 
ville homeward.  We  rejoice  to  know  that  she  is  able  for  the 
journey. 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


89 


12th. — About  four  o'clock  r.  M.,  the  company  alluded  to  above, 
arrived  in  safety.  Dear  llhoda  seems  quite  as  well  as  we  could  ex- 
pect. We  are  truly  glad  to  see  them  ;  a  feeling  of  thankfulness 
has  run  through  my  heart,  that  they  are  favored  to  return  to  us 
once  more ;  and  a  ray  of  hope  that  dear  Khoda  may  yet  recover. 

1-lth. — My  dear  wife  returned  from  Milford,  unexpectedly,  Mar- 
garet White's  health  not  being  sufficient  to  the  prosecution  of  the 
concern  at  this  time,  though  they  have  visited  several  families. 

Fourth-month  15. — First-day. — Opened  our  First-day  Scripture 
school,  to  pretty  good  satisfiiction.    About  thirty  present. 

20th. — I  and  my  wile  set  off  together  to  Cincinnati,  in  the  omni- 
bus; I,  on  business;  she,  to  visit  our  children  there.  Arrived 
safely  in  the  evening.  She  went  to  W.  A.  R's  next  morning,  and  I 
about  my  business. 

21st. — Much  engaged  in  business.  Went  to  W.  A.  R's  in  the 
afternoon. 

24th. —  Returned  home.  Found  all  well.  We  ought  to  be 
thankful  for  the  favors  that  have  attended  us. 

27th. — Funeral  of  Jonathan  Horney.    Meeting  afterward. 

28th. — My  dear  wife,  accompanied  by  William  Kenworthy  and 
Rebecca  Clawson,  set  off  for  Milford  Monthly  Meeting  early.  She 
has  a  prospect  of  going  through  her  visit  with  this  company.  The 
health  of  dear  Margaret  still  continuing  unsuitable  to  the  service. 

Fifth-month  5. — Seventh-day. — My  dear  wife  and  her  company 
returned  this  evening  from  their  visit.  She  appears  well,  and  we 
were  very  glad  to  see  them. 

Fifth-month  12. — Busily  engaged  in  my  office  during  the  past 
week.  Went  to  the  boarding-school  yesterday  afternoon — about 
fifty  scholars — appear  to  be  orderly  and  doing  well.  Mary  Gouah 
is  now  engaged  as  teacher  in  the  girls'  department. 

Spring  appeijrs  now  to^be  fairly  opened.  The  meadows,  and  pas- 
tures are  very  beautiful,  and  the  trees  are  mostly  out.  "  The  time 
of  the  singing  of  birds  has  come."  The  farmers  have  mostly 
planted  their  corn.  Although  we  had  a  sharp  frost  awhile  past, 
yet  there  is  a  prospect  of  considerable  fruit.  Our  pleasant  yard  at 
home  frequently  makes  me  think  of  Paradise.  Surely  we  are 
blessed  as  to  outward  things.    3Iay  we  be  thoughtful  and  grateful. 

We  hear  of  considerable  cholera  in  Cincinnati. 

A  large  number  of  persons  has  gone  forward  to  California, 


40 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


attracted  by  the  prospect  of  Large  gain,  on  account  of  the  discovery 
of  the  gold  mines. 

Fifth-month  25. — Since  the  last  dat6  I  have  been  busily  engaged 
in  my  office,  and  in  various  other  concerns.  Some  of  the  time 
feeble  in  body,  and  much  depressed  in  spirit.  On  the  22d  attended 
the  acting  committee  of  the  boarding-school.  It  seemed  best  to 
employ  Huldah  Estes,  to  take  the  ^lace  of  teacher  again,  in  the 
girls'  department.  On  the  23d,  was  our  Monthly  Meeting,  a  day 
of  deep  interest.  There  is  a  spirit  of  difficulty  and  opposition 
among  us  which  made  open  appearance  to-day.  But  I  believed  that 
truth  triumphed  ;  the  honor  and  the  praise  to  God  only,  be  ascribed. 
Our  dear  friend,  William  Kenworthy,  was  appointed  to  the  station 
of  pjlder. 

27th. — First- Jay. — Our  First-day  Scripture  school  goes  on  well; 
we  had  over  forty  to-day. 

30th. — The  committee  on  the  division  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
met  to-day.  After  considerable  discussion,  the  committee  came  to 
the  conclusion  to  report  that  no  way  opens  to  move  in  the  case  at 
present. 

31st. — Meeting  for  Sufferings. 

Sixth-month  1. — -Meeting  for  Sufferings.  General  boarding- 
school  committee.  Select  Quarterly  Meeting.  We  have  several 
valuable  Friends  here  with  us,  with  minutes — Thomas  Wells, 
William  Pearson,  Thomas  Jay.  I  thought  myself  not  well  able  to 
attend  the  African  committee,  and  Bible  association  in  the 
afternoon. 

2d. — Education  committee  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing. A  very  large  meeting  ;  many  valuable  Friends  from  other 
quarters  with  us. 

3d. — First-day. — School  at  nine  o'clock,  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock. 
Thomas  Wells  had  an  appointed  Youth's  Meeting,  at  four  o'clock 
P.  M.,  which  William  Pearson  and  Thomas  Jay  attended. 

Seven  hundred  and  ten  copies  of  Evans'  Exposition  sent  out  to 
my  care,  have  been  sold  to  agents  in  various  parts  of  our  Yearly 
Meeting,  within  the  last  few  days. 

Sixth-month  10. — Engaged  in  my  ordinary  occupations  during 
the  past  week.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  cholera  in  Cincinnati.  We 
are  blessed  with  pretty  good  health  at  home,  but  we  hear  of  afilic- 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


41 


don  in  the  family  of  our  dear  children,  W.  A.  and  M.  A.  R.,  near 
that  city. 

17th. — First-day. — H.  D.  has  returned.  We  had  a  painful 
meeting. 

26th. — Having  been  appointed  by  our  last  Yearly  Meeting  one  of 
a  committee  to  meet  in  conference  with  like  committees  of  other 
Yearly  Meetings  at  Baltimore,  on  Second-day,  the  9th  of  Seventh- 
month  184:9,  the  subject  has  been  weightily  upon  my  mind  for  a 
considerable  time.  The  fearful  prevalence  of  the  cholera  at  Cin- 
cinnati, the  prospect  that  it  may  soon  be  here,  my  own  feebleness 
of  body,  the  stripped  condition  in  which  we  must  leave  our  dear 
girls,  Mary  and  Hannah,  the  burdens  that  must  come  upon  my  dear 
Charles,  in  consequence  of  my  absence,  and,  perhaps,  many  other 
causes,  appear  to  discourage  me;  besides,  I  have  very  little,  if  any, 
sense  of  any  advantage  to  Society,  which  can  result  from  my  attend- 
ance. I  must,  however,  leave  that,  and  after  fully  considering  and 
reconsidering,  I  think  I  shall  feel  most  in  my  duty,  and  most  easy, 
to  give  up  to  set  off ;  and  endeavor  to  be  resigned  as  to  the  result. 
My  dear  wife  concludes  to  accompany  me  as  far  as  William  H. 
Ladd's,  near  Richmond,  Ohio  ;  and  our  valued  young  friend,  Jesse 
J.  Kenworthy,  also  kindly  concludes  to  bear  us  company. 

So  our  little  party  parted  affectionately  from  our  dear  relatives 
and  friends  at  home,  and  about  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  set  forward  incur 
own  carriage,  feeling  low  and  tender,  but  peaceful.  Staid  near 
Dayton,  the  first  night.  The  cholera  is  prevailing  considerably  at 
Dayton. 

27th. — Dined  at  Springfield,  and  wrote  home.  Reached  Lafay- 
ette in  the  evening. 

28th. — To  Columbus  to  dinner.  We  visited  the  State  prison,  and 
were  deeply  interested.    Went  forward  after  dinner  to  Luray. 

29th.— To  New  Concord. 

30th. — Through  Guernsey  county,  to  near  Cadiz. 

Swenth-month  1. — Fird-day. — Passed  Cadiz  in  the  morning,  and 
reached  Smithfield  meeting.  To  Benjamin  W.  Ladd's  to  dinner; 
we  found  him  very  ill.  To  Wm.  H.  Ladd's  in  the  afternoon  ; 
found  our  dear  children  well,  and  we  were  rejoiced  to  meet  them. 

4th. — Parted  from  my  dear  wife  and  children,  and  proceeded  in  our 
carriage,  Robert  Talbot  kindly  going  in  company  with  J.  J.  K.  and 
me,  on  my  way  to  Baltimore.  Passed  Steubenville  and  crossed  the 
4 


42 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


Ohio  at  Wellsburgh ;  thence  to  Washington,  Pa.  We  have  trav- 
eled through  an  interesting  country  to-day.  The  narrow  part  of 
Virginia  through  which  we  passed,  is  about  six  miles  wide  ;  we 
dined  about  the  middle  of  the  day,  at  an  agreeable  place.  There 
is  a  fine  view  of  Washington  and  vicinity  from  the  cupola  of  the 
court-house,  into  which  we  went.  The  town  appears  to  stand  in  a 
kind  of  basin,  the  hills  appearing  to  be  higher  than  the  street  nearly 
all  around. 

5th. — In  the  morning  we  went  forward  about  nineteen  miles,  to 
Jonathan  Knight's,  at  whose  house  we  were  very  kindly  received. 
After  dinner,  Robert  Talbot  returned  homeward  with  our  carriage 
and  horses,  and  J.  K.  and  son  (J.  K.,  jr.)  politely  took  us  in  a 
carriage  to  Jesse  Keaworthy's,  passing,  in  our  way,  Westland 
meeting-house.  We  were  kindly  received  at  J.  K's,  and  after  stay- 
ing two  hours  or  more,  and  taking  supper,  Jesse  kindly  went  and 
took  us  in  his  carriage  to  Brownsville,  to  Dr.  Stanley's,  where  we 
staid  together. 

6th. — Early  in  the  morning  we  took  the  coach  for  Cumberland, 
passing  an  interesting  country  twelve  miles  to  Uniontown;  thence 
about  four  miles  to  the  beginning  of  the  ascent  up  the'mountains. 
We  had  a  most  interesting  prospect  to  the  west  as  we  ascended. 
The  ascent  up  Laurel  Hill,  the  first  ridge,  is  said  to  be  three  miles. 
We  dined  in  the  valley  of  the  Youghiogheny,  and  did  not  reach 
Cumberland  until  about  twelve  o'clock  midnight,  having  been  eight- 
een hours  crossing  the  entire  mountains.    Very  tired. 

7th. — Arose  refreshed,  and  after  breakfast  went  to  the  railroad  cars 
at  eight  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  were  carried  thence,  railroad  speed, 
toward  Baltimore.  We  took  a  hasty  dinner  at  Harper's  Ferry,  a 
place  of  much  interest,  if  time  had  permitted  us  to  examine,  and 
arrived  at  Baltimore  about  five  o'clock  p.  M.,  one  hundred  and 
seventy-five  miles,  and  were  kindly  received  and  taken  home  by  our 
dear  friend,  Hugh  Balderston,  at  whose  house  I  made  my  home 
during  my  stay  in  the  city. 

Seventh-month  8. — First-day. — Last  evening  and  this  morning  I 
have  met  with  most  of  the  dear  Friends  who  are  in  attendance  here 
from  the  several  Yearly  Meetings  on  committees  of  conference. 

Meeting  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  An  interesting  meeting.  Our 
friend  Richard  Mott  of  New  York  spoke  at  considerable  length  in 


i 


1849.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


43 


the  ministry,  to  tlie  purpose,  I  believe ;  beginning  with  the  text : 
"  And  the  Lord  shut  him. in." — Gen.  vii,  16. 

Meeting  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  Went  to  Dorothy  Hopkins'  to  tea. 
Present,  our  dear  friends,  Richard  Mott,  John  Header  and  his  wife 
Elizabeth,  and  others. 

9th. — Second-day. — This  day,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  our  several 
committees  of  conference  met  together  at  Friend.s'  meeting-house, 
in  Baltimore.  The  meeting  was  very  solemn,  and  I  believe  all  the 
members  felt  low  and  humble,  greatly  desiring  preservation  and 
right  direction.  Richard  Mott  offered  prayer.  After  a  suitable 
time  of  silence,  business  was  proposed.  I  was  appointed  clerk  for 
the  day,  and  the  meeting  was  fairly  opened  by  reading  the  several 
minutes  of  appointment,  and  calling  the  names. 

The  following  Friends  were  present:  From  New  York — Richard 
Mott,  Thomas  Willis,  Henry  Rowntree,  Richard  Carpenter,  Wil- 
liam F.  Mott,  Samuel  F.  Mott,  James  Brown  and  James  Congdon 
(three  of  their  committee  not  here).  From  New  England — Row- 
land Greene,  John  Osborne,  John  D.  Lang,  Stephen  A.  Chase, 
David  Buffum,  Samuel  Boyd  Tobey,  John  Meader,  Samuel  Taylor, 
jr.,  and  Samuel  Boyce.  From  Indiana — George  Carter,  Elijah 
CoflSn,  Thomas  Evans,  Eleazar  Bales  and  Henry  Wilson  (four  of 
our  committee  not  here).  From  Baltimore — Hugh  Balderston, 
Richard  H.  Thomas,  Samuel  Worthington,  Joseph  King,  jr.,  Na- 
thaniel C.  Crenshaw,  Jonah  Sands,  William  A.|Thomas,  John  Scott, 
Isaac  Brooks  and  Joel  Cook  (J.  C.  did  not  arrive  until  next  morn- 
ing). From  North  [Carolina — Aaron  Stalker,  Thomas  Kennedy, 
James  Peelle,  Richard  Mendenhall,  Nereus  Mendenhall  and  Joshua 
Stanley.  Our  dear  friends,  Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Robert  Lind- 
say, from  England,  being  in  the  city,  and  having  come  here  under 
religious  concern  to  attend  the  conference,  and  the  subject  being 
made  known,  it  was  agreed  that  they  should  be  admitted.  After 
Bome  discussion,  and  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  propose  a 
clerk,  the  conference  adjourned  until  four  o'clock  p.  m. 

At  the  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  our  dear  friends  aforenamed, 
attended,  and  their  company  is  expected  hereafter.  I  was  appointed 
clerk.  After  considerable  discussion,  on  various  interesting  subjects, 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  them  more  fully  into  consideration, 
and  the  conference  adjourned  until  ten  o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 

10th. — A  report  was  received  this  morning,  which  brought  the 


44 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


state  of  Society  plainly  to  view.  After  mucli  communication,  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  document  to  be  submitted 
with  our  report  to  the  Yearly  Meetings,  respectively,  which  ap- 
pointed us. 

11th. — Much  engaged  in  preparing  the  document. 

12th. — In  the  afternoon  to-day,  the  document  was  adopted;  also 
a  form  of  report,  with  entire  unanimity. 

Jesse  Kenworthy  went  to  Washington  on  Third-day,  and  came 
back  in  the  evening,  much  gratified  with  the  visit.  To-day  he  left 
for  Philadelphia,  intending  to  go  thence  via  New  York  and  Albany 
to  Bulfalo,  thence  by  lake  to  Cleveland,  and  thence  by  coach  to 
meet  me  at  Richmond,  Ohio. 

After  the  rise  of  the  conference,  which  closed  in  great  solem- 
nity, and  much  brotherly  affection  of  the  members  toward  one  an- 
other, we  parted,  and  several  Friends  set  off  homeward  by  the  even- 
ing trains. 

13th. — Sixth-day. — Took  an  affectionate  leave  of  my  dear  friends 
of  Hugh  Balderston's  family — he  kindly  went  with  me  to  the  cars 
for  Cumberland;  and  after  I  had  paid  my  passage,  and  taken  my 
seat,  I  was  made  glad  by  the  appearance  of  my  friends,  George 
Carter,  Thomas  Evans.  Eleazar  Bales  and  Henry  Wilson,  who  had 
been  thinking  of  returning  via  New  York,  but  had  finally  decided 
to  take  the  same  route  with  myself,  across  the  mountains.  The  cars 
moved  forward  at  about  a  quarter  past  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  We  took 
some  refreshment,  hastily,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  arrived  at  Cum- 
berland about  five  o'clock  P.  M.  Here  we  took  the  coaches,  and 
were  favored  to  get  well  across  the  mountains  to  Union  town  by 
about  seven  o'clock  next  morning.  We  made  no  stops  except  for 
tefreshments  and  changes,  until  we  arrived  at  Wheeling,  a  little 
before  eight  o'clock  p.  M.  in  the  evening  of  the  14th. 

Seventh-month  15. — First-day. — I  am  much  refreshed  this  morn- 
ing by  the  rest  which  I  got  last  night.  George  and  Thomas  went 
forward,  before  ten  last  evening,  in  the  coaches.  After  breakfast, 
Eleazar  and  Henry  and  I  retired  awhile  in  my  room,  and  read  to- 
gether from  the  Psalms.  About  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  they  went  aboard 
a  boat  for  Cincinnati,  and  I  was  left  alone.  I  wrote  home  to  my  dear 
children,  and  spent  the  afternoon  in  a  feeling  of  much  loneliness. 

16th. — Left  Wheeling,  at  eight  this  morning,  in  a  small  boat  for 
Steubenville,  at  which  place  we  arrived  between  two  and  three  o'clock 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


45 


P.  M.,  and  I  hired  a  carriage  to  take  me  to  William  H.  Ladd's.  I  was, 
indeed,  truly  rejoiced  to  meet  my  beloved  wife,  and  our  dear  Wil- 
liam and  Caroline,  well ;  and  felt  that  I  have  cause  of  gratefulness  to 
the  good  Giver  of  all  good  things,  that  I  have  been  enabled  to  per- 
form this  journey  so  far,  with  so  much  comfort,  and  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  so  many  blessings.  We  have  received  accounts  from  our 
dear  children  at  home,  uniformly  giving  us  favorable  intelligence 
of  their  getting  along  well  in  our  absence.  The  cholera  continues 
truly  awful  at  Cincinnati ;  Dayton  has  also  suffered  much;  and  I 
understand  from  Charles  that  in  the  little  town  of  Boston,  it  has 
been  very  severe.  Several  cases  have  occurred  in  Richmond  ;  so 
we  may  conclude  it  is  now  fairly  there. 

17th. — This  afternoon  we  went  to  our  beloved  friend  Benjamin 
W.  Ladd's.  He  has  been  very  ill  for  some  time  past,  but  we  were 
glad  to  find  him  better,  though  he  is  not  able  to  set  up  much  yet. 

18th. — We  attended  Smithfield  meeting  to-day.  The  meeting 
was  not  large.  In  the  afternoon  we  went  to  Doctor  William  S. 
Bates',  where  we  had  an  agreeable  visit.  After  supper  we  called  at 
William  Price's  for  a  short  time. 

19th. —  Returned  and  attended  Cross-creek  meeting.  It  was 
Preparative  Meeting  both  at  Smithfield  and  this  place. 

20th. — At  Henry  Crew's,  in  Richmond,  to  supper.  21st. — At 
James  D.  Ladd's  to  supper.  We  were  very  glad  to  see  our  dear 
young  friend  Jesse  J.  Kenworthy  come  in  during  the  evening  to 
join  us.  He  reports  that  he  has  had  a  prosperous  and  agreeable 
journey,  and  seems  well  pleased. 

22d. — First-day. — Attended  Cross-creek  meeting  for  the  last  time. 
After  dining  with  our  dear  children,  we  set  out  for  Cadiz.  We  feel 
anxious  about  home,  on  account  of  the  sickness  around.  Staid  the 
night  at  Cadiz. 

23d. — Reached  the  National  road,  at  Cambridge,  and  went  on  five 
miles  west.  24th. — To  Hebron.  25th. — Reached  Columbus  about 
two  P.  M.  Over  one  hundred  prisoners  have  died  of  cholera,  since 
we  visited  the  State  prison.  We  stopped  only  at  the  post-office, 
at  which  we  received  a  letter  from  our  dear  Charles,  giving  us  a  good 
account  of  our  own  dear  family,  but  there  is  much  sickness  in  town 
of  cholera. 

26th. — Staid  at  Lafayette  last  night.  Stopped  for  dinner  at  Jer- 
emiah Warder's,  near  Springfield;  thence  to  a  tavern  near  Dayton.' 


46 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


27th. — In  the  morning,  heard  at  Dayton  of  the  illness  of  our  dear 
Charles  at  home. 

We  were  favored  to  reach  home  this  evening,  greatly  rejoiced  to 
meet  our  dear  children  and  friends  again,  and  thankful  for  the 
many  favors  which  have  attended  us  in  our  late  journey. 

Our  dear  Charles  is  confined;  and  dear  Hannah  is  not  well;  but 
neither  is  dangerous,  we  believe. 

The  sickness  here  is  truly  awful;  yet  the  cases  of  death  are  few, 
in  proportion  to  the  number  sick. 

28th. — My  dear  sister  Hannah  Symons  was  taken  very  ill  last 
night.    Her  case  may  be  considered  critical. 

To-day,  Doctor  James  W.  Marmon  was  seized  with  cholera  at 
eight  or  nine  A.  si.,  and  died  about  four  p.  m. 

There  are  now  so  many  sick  that  the  physicians  appear  to  be 
almost  worn  out  with  attention. 

29th. — First-day. — Funeral  of  James  W.  Marmon  at  ten  this 
morning.  Meeting. 

Eighth-month  4,  1849. — The'cholera  is  considered  to  be  sensibly 
abating;  yet,  there  are  many  cases  of  sickness.  It  has  greatly 
abated  in  Cincinnati. 

5th. — First-day. — Grulielma  Parry  (wife  of  Mordecai),  died  to- 
day. Meeting. 

10th. — Samuel  Test,  jr.,  died  to-day  of  cholera;  a  valuable  mem- 
ber.   We  feel  his  loss  much. 

11th. — Funeral  about  ten  o'clock;  and  meeting  afterward. 

13th. — A  letter  is  received,  this  morning,  from  our  dear  William 
H.  Ladd,  giving  us  information  that  our  dear  Caroline  was  confined 
on  the  8th  instant,  having  given  birth  to  a  daughter,  and  that  she 
is  doing  well.    Our  feelings  are  greatly  interested  for  her. 

15th. — Joshua  Bailey  Hunnicutt  was  buried  this  morning. 

16th. — Samuel  Charles  died  this  afternoon,  about  four.  Gathered 
home,  we  have  reason  to  hope,  in  a  good  old  age. 

Two  days  past,  there  seemed  to  be  a  decided  decrease  of  cholera ; 
to-day  it  appears  to  be  worse. 

Good  accounts  received  from  our  dear  children  at  Cincinnati,  and 
also  from  those  near  Richmond,  Ohio;  our  dear  Caroline  seems  to 
be  doing  well. 

Eighth-month  17. — Last  night  Jane  Morrison  (wife  of  Robert), 
died  of  apoplexy. 


1849.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


47 


I  have  received  very  acceptable  letters  from  my  dear  friends 
Hugh  Balderston,  of  Baltimore,  and  Richard  Mott,  of  New  York. 

23d. — Sickness  seems  in  general  better;  yet  there  is  much  afflic- 
tion in  the  family  at  Thomas  Symons'.  My  sister  Hannah  con- 
tinues very  weak  and  low;  and  John  and  Rebecca  Thistlethwaite 
are  both  very  ill  of  cholera,  yet,  I  hope,  in  the  way  of  recovery. 

I  set  off  this  morning  in  the  omnibus  for  Cincinnati  on  the  busi- 
ness of  the  bank. 

24th. — In  Cincinnati ;  and  on  the  25th  until  two  p.  m.,  then  came 
out  to  Hamilton.  Last  night  I  staid  at  W.  A.  Rambo's.  Our  dear 
children  are  well  as  usual;  and  the  health  of  the  city  is  now  con- 
sidered to  be  good,  the  cholera  having  almost  left  it.  It  was  very 
awful  at  its  worst;  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  deaths  in  one 
day  is  reported  as  the  highest  number;  the  whole  number  of  deaths 
from  cholera,  in  about  six  weeks,  amounted,  according  to  the  reports, 
to  upward'of  four  thousand. 

25th. — First-day. — Being  weary  last  evening,  I  rested  very  com- 
fortably at  Hamilton  until  two  P.  M.,  to-day,  and  am  much  refreshed. 
I  have  passed  the  time  mostly  in  my  room,  and  partly  in  reading. 
Besides  the  Scriptures,  I  have  with  me  Lynch's  Expedition  to  the 
River  Jordan  and  the  Dead  Sea,  which  I  am  reading  with  much 
interest. 

I  was  favored  to  arrive  safely  at  home  in  the  evening,  and  to  find 
my  dear  family  well  as  I  could  expect;  which  is  cause  of  grateful- 
ness to  the  good  Giver  of  all  good  things. 

26th. — Visited  my  dear  sister  Hannah  in  the  morning;  I  am 
much  affected  at  her  low  condition  of  health  and  strength;  she  in- 
forms me  that  she  has  not  been  able  to  take  nutriment  for  five  days 
past.    She  seems  sweet  spirited  and  resigned;  which  is  comforting. 

28th. — Third-day.  —  Meeting  of  the  acting  committee  of  the 
boarding-school.  The  school  was  suspended,  about  a  month  ago, 
on  account  of  the  cholera  in  the  vicinity,  and  all  the  scholars  went 
away,  except  one  or  two.  B.  C.  Hobbs  and  Rebecca,  his  wife,  have 
just  retired  from  the  superintendency,  and  Thomas  Hill  and  Tamar, 
his  wife,  have  come  in  and  taken  their  station  in  that  capacity.  Our 
meeting  to-day  was  in  good  degree  agreeable.  Lewis  A.  Estes  and 
Huldah,  his  wife,  have  gone  to  New  England  on  a  visit. 

My  sister  H.  seems  somewhat  more  comfortable  to-day. 

Sarah  Williams,  wife  of  Richard,  sen.,  died  of  cholera  to-day 


48 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


about  ten  A.  M.  She  was  first  found  to  be  ill  last  evening  about 
five  p.  M. 

Eiglith-month  29. — Elizabeth  Rambo,  wife  of  Nathan,  died  this 
morning  about  three  A.  M.  of  cholera;  she  has  been  very  ill  for 
more  than  a  week.    William  A.  Rambo  is  here  from  Cincinnati. 

We  hear  of  several  cases  of  small  pox  in  town  to-day.  There 
appears  to  be  very  few  of  cholera. 

Funeral  of  Sarah  Williams  at  ten  A.  M.  Meeting. 

Sister  H.  decidedly  more  comfortable. 

30th. — One  death  of  small  pox  in  town  last  night. 

Funeral  of  Elizabeth  Rambo  at  ten  A.  M. 

Funeral  of  Hannah  Marmon,  widow  of  James  W.  Marmon,  at 
half  past  three.  She  died,  after  a  lingering  illness,  last  evening, 
about  seven  o'clock. 

31st. — Myself  and  wife,  and  our  valued  friends  William  Ken- 
worthy  and  Benjamin  Fulghum,  set  off  together  early  this  morning 
to  Milford,  to  attend  our  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Meeting  for  Ministers  and  Elders  at  eleven;  African  committee 
at  two;  auxilliary  Bible  association  at  three.  The  exercises  of 
the  day  were  in  good  degree  satisfactory. 

Ninth-month  1,  1849. — Seventh-day. — Was  engaged  last  evening, 
and  early  this  morning,  on  the  subject  of  preparing  a  memorial  of 
our  honored  father,  Benajah  Hiatt.  Made  some  progress  as  to 
materials. 

Education  meeting  at  nine — satisfactory  and  encouraging.  The 
cause  appears  to  have  advanced  much  since  our  present  organization 
of  the  education  committee  began  fairly  to  operate.  Several  good 
schools  are  now  kept  up  much  of  the  time  in  the  limits  of  our 
Quarterly  Meeting,  and  the  scale  and  tone  of  education  has  greatly 
advanced.  Besides  the  lower  branches,  grammar,  geography,  phi- 
losophy, chemistry,  and  several  branches  of  the  mathematics  are  now 
taught  in  several  of  the  schools. 

Quarterly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  A  solemn,  favored 
meeting,  in  which  there  was  much  religious  communication,  doc- 
trinal and  practical.  Meeting  rose  about  four  o'clock.  We  dined 
at  Aaron  White's,  and  came  home,  having  a  very  pleasant  evening 
ride,  the  weather  cool,  roads  good  and  full  moonlight. 

The  turnpike  from  Richmond  to  Centerville  is  now  in  progress 
of  completion,  and  seems  likely  to  be  done  this  fall. 


1849.] 


LIFK  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


49 


It  is  cause  of  thankfulness  to  find  our  dear  family  well  as  usual, 
and  that  sickness  has  so  much  abated. 

4th. — James  Cockayne,  sen.,  died  to-day,  at  his  son  James',  at 
Orange. 

15th. — Much  attention  to  my  office  since  last  date.  We  are 
blessed  with  good  health.  Our  crops  of  corn  are  very  luxuri- 
ant and  beautiful,  the  season  having  been  very  favorable.  The 
wheat  crop  is  more  of  a  failure  than  I  ever  recollect  to  have  known 
before.  But  in  this  country  we  have  been  always  bles.sed  with 
plenty.  How  grateful  we  ought  to  be,  for  we  have  no  good  gift, 
even  of  the  outward  kind,  which  is  not  from  the  one  good  Giver, 
toward  whom  we  ought  to  look  with  gratitude  and  hope. 

General  good  health  seems  to  be  now  restored. 

Forty-nine  deaths,  of  all  diseases,  are  reported  to  have  occurred 
from  cholera,  in  Richmond  ;  and  twenty-five  more  in  the  vicinity, 
or  persons  brought  here ;  making  seventy-four  in  all. 

On  the  6th  instant,  our  children,  William  H.  and  Sarah  Coffin, 
removed  with  their  family,  to  reside  at  Chester  ;  our  desires  go  with 
them,  that  they  may  do  well. 

Received  an  interesting  letter  froTu  Richard  Mott. 

25th. — Since  the  last  date  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  niy  office, 
about  my  daily  business,  and  at  small  intervals  in  reading  Lynch's 
Expedition  to  the  River  Jordan  and  the  Dead  Sea,  in  which  I  have 
been  much  interested.  What  a  change  in  the  land  of  Canaan  from 
the  days  of  David  to  the  present  time!  And  how  wonderfully  and 
fearfully  true  have  been  tho.se  prophesies  concerning  what  should  fol- 
low upon  the  Jews  for  their  wickedness  and  departure  from  the  one 
only  true  and  living  Jehovah,  the  great  and  merciful  Being,  who 
was  pleased  so  greatly  to  favor  that  once  great  nation  !  In  reading 
the  narration  of  travelers,  there  is  scarce  a  place,  or  river,  or  town 
site  which  does  not  abound  with  matter  for  interesting  inquiry  and 
recollection. 

We  have  continued  to  enjoy  good  health  in  our  family,  and  I  be- 
lieve there  is  no  epidemic  disease  now  prevailing;  yet  there  is 
occasionally  a  death  from  cholera,  and  I  hear  of  a  few  cases  of 
small-pox. 

I  have  feared  that  I  should  be  too  much  engrossed  with  the  out- 
ward concerns  of  this  life,  which  have  pressed  much  upon  me  of 
late,  things  lawful  in  themselves,  and  necessary  to  be  attended  to 


50 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


in  their  proper  place.  But  I  have  been  almost  chafed  with  the  mul- 
tiplicity of  such  concerns  for  awhile  past.  May  I  be  favored  with 
strength  to  keep  in  the  patience.  At  times  I  have  been  mercifully 
favored  with  some  good  feeling. 

We  have  accounts  of  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting,  rather  more  favor- 
able this  year ;  less  debate  and  discussion  than  last. 

26th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Rather  a  good  time.  Our  dear 
Charles  and  Rhoda  having  removed  to  James  Hunnicutt's  board- 
ing-house, some  time  past,  are  induced  to  return  to  our  house 
to-day,  on  account  of  a  case  of  small-pox  occurring  in  J.  H's 
family. 

30th. — In  the  evening,  Amos  and  Edith  GrifiSth  of  Redstone 
Quarterly  Meeting,  Penn.,  came  in,  having  come  to  attend  our 
Yearly  Meeting. 

My  dear  sister,  Hannah  S..  not  so  well  for  the  last  week. 

Tenth-month  1,  1849. — Second-day. — In  the  afternoon's  stage- 
coach, our  beloved  friends,  Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Robert  Lindsay, 
of  England,  and  Joseph  and  Daniel  P.  Haviland,  of  Dutchess 
county.  New  York,  came  in.  We  were  truly  glad  to  see  these,  our 
dear  friends.  By  the  Cincinnati  omnibus,  our  dear  friends,  Wm. 
Grossman  and  Ann  Townsend,  came  in.  Rebecca  Coflin,  from  near 
Richmond,  Ohio,  is  here;  she  brings  us  a  good  account  of  our  dear 
children  there. 

2d. — At  ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders  met.  A  time  of  much  solemnity  and  favor.  At  three 
o'clock  p.  M.,  the  Meeting  for  Sufi'erings  ;  a  good  meeting.  Received 
report  on  books,  and  on  the  Yearly  Meeting's  library  of  refer- 
ence ;  three  hundred  and  sixty  volumes  now  in  the  latter.  The 
subject  of  presenting  a  memorial  to  Congress,  against  the  extension 
of  slavery  into  any  of  the  territories  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
admission  of  any  new  State  into  the  Union,  the  constitution  of 
which  shall  permit  slavery,  was  solemnly  considered,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  prepare  one,  if  way  should  open. 

3d. — At  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  general  boarding-school  com- 
mittee met.  An  interesting  and  agreeable  time.  At  eleven  o'clock, 
the  Yearly  Meeting  for  Wor.'^hip  convened.  Not  nearly  so  large  as 
at  some  past  years.  Our  friends,  J.  and  D.  P.  Haviland,  and  B. 
Seebohm,  spoke  in  the  ministry,  and  E.  Griffith,  in  prayer.  Three 
o'clock  p.  M.,  Indian  committee  ;  an  agreeable  and  interesting  time. 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELI.JAH  COFFIN. 


51 


It  is  very  consoling  to  find  that  precious  unity  exists  among  us, 
and  brotherly  love,  in  a  very  comforting  and  cementing  degree. 

4th. —  Fiflli-day. — Yearly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock.  Decidedly 
smaller  than  for  many  past  years;  sickness  the  cause,  no  doubt. 
Proceeded  with  the  usual  business.  A  very  good  feeling  prevailed. 
There  are  now  fifteen  Quarterly  Meetings.  The  epistles  from  other 
Yearly  Meetings  were  edifying;  I  was  evidently  favored  in  reading 
the  London  general  epistle. 

At  four  o'clock  p.  m.,  African  committee.  Attendance  large  ;  an 
interesting  meeting ;  yet  there  was  not  time  for  all  to  relieve  their 
minds. 

At  six  o'clock  p.  M.,  the  general  committee  on  education,  a  large 
attendance,  and  a  good  meeting.  The  feeling  in  favor  of  proper 
education  seems  to  be  increasing;  so  there  is  reason  for  being  en- 
couraged. 

Tenth -movih  5. — Sixth  dny. — Eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  Meeting  for 
SuiFerings.  Ten  A.  M.,  Yearly  Meeting.  The  state  of  Society  con- 
sidered. Much  valuable  counsel  and  admonition  ofi"ered.  A  favored 
day.  Four  o'clock  p.  m..  Meeting  for  Sufferings.  Memorial  to 
Congress  reported  and  adopted.  Six  o'clock  p.  M.,  epistle  commit- 
tee ;  also  committee  on  list  of  meetings  and  map. 

6th. — Eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders. 
Ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  Yearly  Meeting.  The  report  of  the  Baltimore 
committee  of  conference  read;  then  the  document  prepared  by  the 
associated  committees.  It  made  a  powerful  and  favorable  impres- 
sion. I  was  evidently  much  favored  in  reading  it.  A  very  large 
expression  of  unity  followed,  and  no  dissent.  It  was  adopted  with 
excellent  feeling.  Several  other  interestins;  matters  considered. 
Four  o'clock  p.  m.,  Indian  committee.  Six  o'clock  P.  M.,  general 
committee  on  education. 

7th. — First-day. — Two  large  Meetings  for  Worship  to-day  ;  yet 
not  nearly  so  large  as  at  some  past  years. 

8th. — Eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  general  boarding  school  committee. 
Ten  o'clock  a.  m.,  Yearly  Meeting.  Four  o'clock  P.  m.,  African 
committee,  but  this  I  did  not  attend.  Six  o'clock  p.  m.,  epistle 
committee.    Much  interesting  business  attended  to  to-day. 

9th. — Eight  o'clock  a.  m.,  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders, 
which  came  to  a  very  solemn  conclusion.  The  meeting  made  me 
think  of  the  Christian  Church  in  apostolic  times. 


52  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1849. 

Eleven  o'clock  a.  m.,  Yearly  Meeting.  Besides,  other  important 
business ;  the  epistles  to  other  Yearly  Meetings  were  read  and 
adopted  ;  and  the  business  being  gone  through,  the  meeting  came 
to  a  very  solemn  and  harmonious  conclusion,  at  about  half-past  two 
o'clock.  Brotherly  love  and  unity  prevailed  to  a  remarkable  de- 
gree, and  the  meeting  parted  in  deep  feeling  of  warm  and  lively 
Christian  fellowship,  under  the  public  acknowledgment  that  Divine 
raerey  and  favor  had  been  eminently  extended  to  us  ;  and  that  it 
had  been  good  for  us  to  be  together. 

Four  o'clock  p.  M.,  Meeting  for  Sufferings.  Arranged  for  print- 
ing the  Baltimore  document. 

10th. — Several  of  our  friends  left  us  this  morning.  B.  Seebohm, 
R.  Lindsay,  J.  and  T).  P.  Haviland,  took  the  stage  for  Springfield, 
Ohio.  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  After  meeting,  the  acting 
committee  of  the  boarding-school,  on  the  employing  of  teachers. 
Mary  Ann  Buffum  has  arrived  from  Providence,  and  is  engaged. 

11th. — Edith  Griffith  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Whitewater, 
at  cloven  o'clock.    It  was  well  attended,  and  a  favored  meeting. 

12th. — Amos  and  Edith  Griffith  and  Ann  Townsend  left  us  this 
morning  for  Cincinnati. 

10th — Since  the  last  date,  I  have  been  very  closely  engaged  in 
my  office.  Considerable  rain  has  fallen  within  the  last  two  weeks  ; 
ami  we  have  also  had  several  white  frosts,  more  particularly  within 
the  last  few  days;  the  tomatoes,  dahlias  and  other  tender  plants  are 
much  killed;  and  the  yellow  leaves  of  the  trees  and  various  other 
things,  in  the  weather  and  in  the  vegetable  kingdom,  give  evident 
signs  of  the  presence  of  autumn.  The  corn  crops  are  generally 
fine  ;  some  of  the  corn  is  becoming  dry,  so  that  we  have  had  some 
excellent  new  meal.  The  crop  of  Irish  potatoes  is  much  of  a 
failure  ;  yet  some  are  raised.  Our  own  is  a  failure,  with  a  small 
exception.  Potatoes  are  now  thirty-seven  and  a  half  to  forty  cents 
the  bushel,  about  double  what  they  have  usually  sold  for  at  this 
season  of  the  year.  Fruit  is  also  scarce  in  this  neighborhood  this 
year;  good  apples  for  winter  are  selling  at  from  forty  to  fifty  cents 
per  bushel.  Yet  we  have  abundance,  not  only  of  the  necessaries, 
but  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  How  ought  our  hearts  to  be 
warm  with  thoughtful ness  and  gratefulness  for  the  blessings  we 
Have ! 

My  mind  is  frequently  turned  to  think  of  the  mercies  of  the 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


53 


Lord,  and  to  crave  his  favor  and  blessing.  I  have  frequently  felt 
low,  and  as  if  I  am  not  all  I  ought  to  be.  To  have  one's  whole  life 
and  manners  made  conformable  to  the  sweet  spirit  of  the  gospel  of 
peace,  is  indeed  a  great  consideration  ;  yet  desirable  beyond  any 
thing  else  here  below.  I  have  not  felt  entirely  clear  in  my  mind ; 
a  fear  and  something  like  a  conviction  has  attended  me,  at  times, 
that  I  lack  much,  very  ihuch  ;  and  I  have  looked  forward  to  the 
prospect  that  some  affliction  might  be  permitted  to  overtake  me. 
My  desire  is  very  great  that  I  might  be  better  prepared  for  what- 
ever may  be  allowed  to  come;  and  0!  that  Divine  mercy  and 
ffoodness  may  be  with  me  all  the  days  of  my  life. 

My  dear  wife  is  progressing  in  the  reading  of  the  Memorials  of 
Rebecca  Jones,  in  the  fiimily,  of  evenings.  I  am  much  interested 
and  edified  thereby.  I  am  not  yet  through  the  third  volume  of 
William  Allen,  but  am  still  making  some  progress;  having  finished 
Lynch's  Expedition. 

Our  boarding-school  was  opened  on  the  15th,  with  prett}-  good 
prospects.  Thomas  and  Tamar  Hill,  superintendents;  Lewis  A. 
Estes  teacher  of  the  boys'  and  Mary  Ann  Bulfum  teacher  of  the 
girls'  department. 

We  have  engaged  Daniel  Clark  as  teacher  of  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ing's school,  at  Whitewater. 

Tenth-month  21. — My  son  Charles  went  to-day  to  Waynesville, 
on  account  of  the  dangerous  illness  of  Joel  W.  Johnson. 

23d. — Meeting  of  the  acting  committee  at  the  boarding-school ; 
an  agreeable  meeting.  An  interview  was  also  had  between  the 
committee  and  the  scholars ;  about  thirty  scholars  present.  I  waa 
closely  engaged  upon  various  concerns  in  the  school  until  night. 

Returned  about  dark,  and  found  Charles  at  home.  He  left 
Waynesville  yesterday.  Joel  W.  Johnson  was  then  living,  and 
there  appeared  no  immediate  prospect  of  death  ;  but  this  afternoon 
Charles  has  received  a  message  by  telegraph,  making  the  sad  an- 
nouncement of  his  decease,  about  two  o'clock  this  morning.  Sad 
indeed !  A  young  man,  just  in  the  bloom  of  life,  with  very  flatter- 
ing prospects  of  worldly  prosperity,  and  having  recently  entered 
into  marriage  engagement  with  an  amiable  young  woman  (the 
engagement  not  yet  consummated),  and  having  a  widowed  mother 
near  him  requiring  his  care  and  sympathy,  now  removed  from 
works  to  rewards!    Truly  this  is  a  changing  and  uncertain  world ; 


54 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


but  we  must  believe  that  it  is  all  under  the  orderings  of  Infinite 
Wisdom;  under  that  All-seeing  Eye,  which  sees  not  as  man  sees. 
It  becomes  us,  while  deeply  affected  and  humbled  by  such  a  stroke, 
to  seek  after  perfect  resignation,  and  to  bless  the  name  of  the  Lord 
in  all  things.  The  consideration  of  our  own  precarious  existence 
here  below,  should  be  renewedly  revived  in  our  minds,  and  a  due 
preparation  for  our  final  change  kept  in  lively  remembrance,  in 
order  that  our  hearts  may  be  made  better.  "  Lord,  make  me  to 
know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of  my  days,  what  it  is;  that  I 
may  know  how  frail  I  am.  Behold,  thou  hast  made  my  days  as 
a  handbreadth,  and  mine  age  as  nothing  before  thee."  Psalm 
xxxix,  4,  5. 

24th. — Fourth-dajj. — Whitewater  Monthly  Meeting.  We  had  a 
very  quiet,  agreeable  meeting,  and  much  good  feeling  appeared  to 
prevail  throughout;  a  favor  for  which  we  ought  to  be  thankful. 

26th. — Committee  of  Whitewater  school.    The  school  has  as  yet 
only  about  twenty-five  scholars.    Daniel  Clark  opened  the  school 
as  teacher,  on  last  Second-day. 

27th. — Thomas  O'Hara  died  this  morning. 

28th. —  First-day. —  After  meeting,  to  the  boarding-school,  to 
attend  the  Scripture  reading.  Afterward,  to  see  sister  H.  S.,  who 
is  much  improved,  yet  not  so  as  to  be  out.  Our  dear  Rhoda  went 
with  us  to  meeting  to-day,  for  the  first  time  during  about  a  year  or 
more  past ;  and,  in  the  afternoon,  to  the  school,  etc.  It  seems  very 
pleasant  that  she  is  so  much  improved  in  health. 

Eleventh-month  1. — This  evening  our  dear  Miriam  A.  Rambo 
arrived  from  Cincinnati,  on  a  visit.   It  is  very  pleasant  to  have  her. 

3d. — I  have  had  a  busy  and  laborious  week  in  my  oflBce.  The 
weather  has  been  fine ;  and  we  are  blessed  with  a  good  share  of 
health,  which  is  ever  cause  for  thankfulness.  Proceeding  in  the 
reading  of  the  Memorials  of  Rebecca  Jones,  of  evenings.  My  dear 
wife  reads. 

5th. — This  day  is  our  annual  election  for  officers  in  our  branch 
bank.  I  am  continued  cashier,  and  my  son  Charles,  teller  and 
clerk.  At  A.  C.  Blanchard's  to  dinner,  and  several  at  our  house 
to  supper.  Our  friends  Henry  E.  Peelle  and  wife  with  us  at  night. 
I  have  felt  low. 

6th. — Our  daughter  Mary  has  entered  the  boarding-school  to-day; 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


55 


hope  it  may  be  for  good.  Hannah  Amelia  goes  to  our  Whitewater 
school,  Daniel  Clark  teacher.    I  still  feel  very  low. 

10th. — T  have  had  a  very  busy  week;  and  much  of  the  time 
have  felt  very  low. 

11th. — I  have  felt  some  better  to-day.  Went  to  the  Scripture 
reading  at  the  boarding-school  this  afternoon.  Twenty-four  girls 
and  twenty-six  males  now  in  the  school. 

16th. — My  brother  Paul  having  lost  his  house  by  fire,  and 
received  a  considerable  burn  upon  his  person,  I  went  to  visit  him. 

17th. — Returned  to-day,  taking  Milton  in  my  course,  and  stop- 
ping to  dine  with  our  dear  aged  mother  E.  Hiatt,  and  C.  and  H. 
Dickinson.    Read  Memorial  of  our  deceased  father  Hiatt. 


56 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


CHAPTER  nr. 

Visits  to  Schools  and  Meetings — Bible  and  Tract  Societies — Indiana 
Yearly  ."Meeting. 

Eleventh-month  17. — I  remember  tliiifc  this  is  my  birth-day.  I 
am  fifty-one.  AVhat  an  eventful  year  has  the  past  been  !  Many 
solemn  reflections  seem  naturally  to  arise  upon  the  rapid  passing 
away  of  time,  and  the  great  changes  which  have  taken  place  within 
the  year. 

22d. — Our  dear  daughter  Miriam  and  her  two  children  left  us 
this  morning  for  Cincinnati. 

23d. — Our  aged  friend  Jeremiah  Hubbard  departed  this  life  this 
morning  early. 

25th. —  First-day. — I  went,  my  dear  wife  with  me,  to  New  Garden 
to-day,  to  attend  the  burial  of  our  departed  friend,  at  ten  o'clock. 
A  solemn  meeting  afterward;  the  whole  a  solemn  day.  Called  to 
see  our  beloved  young  friends  Cornelius  and  Sarah  Woodward, 
and  afterward  John  Hubbard  and  family,  and  returned  home  in 
the  evening. 

27th.— Acting  committee  boarding-school.  An  awful  and  thrill- 
ing scene  comes  to  our  knowledge  to-day.  Our  dear  friend  Anna 
Almy  Jenkins  of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  and  her  daughter 
Sarah,  perished  in  the  burning  of  their  own  dwelling-house  on  the 
morning  of  the  20th  instant.  The  announcement  of  the  distress- 
ing fact  spreads  a  feeling  of  deep  sorrow  wherever  it  is  heard. 
My  dear  friend  Thomas  Evans,  writes  me  an  account  of  it ;  and 
brings  to  mind  the  pathetic  watch-word,  "Be  ye  also  ready." 

The  school  seems  to  be  doing  well,  and  our  dear  Mary  is  well 
pleased  with  her  situation. 

28th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Were  favored  to  get  along  agreea- 
bly.   Alpheus  Test  proposes  marriage  with  Elizabeth  Moffitt. 

30th. — Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  African 
committee  at  two  o'clock.     Auxiliary  Bible  association  at  three 


1849.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


57 


o'clock.  All  agreeable  meetings,  comfortably  blessed  with  a  share 
of  unity  and  good  feeling. 

Tioeljth-month  1,  1849. — Quarterly  Meeting.  A  time  of  favor 
and  unity  of  feeling.  Our  dear  friend  Daniel  Williams  opened  a 
concern  to  visit  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings  in  the  limits  of 
Indiana  Yearly  Meeting,  and  to  appoint  some  meetings  among  others 
except  Friends,  which  was  united  with,  and  he  was  encouraged  to 
proceed  therein.  The  business  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  disposed 
of  satisfactorily. 

8th. — I  have  been  very  closely  engaged  in  my  regular  business 
this  week,  and  have  cause  for  thankfulness  for  the  good  health 
which  I  and  my  dear  family  have  been  permitted  to  enjoy;  for  the 
comfortable  feeling  which  has  at  many  times  been  present,  and  for 
various  other  blessings.  It  is  now  a  time  of  very  good  health  gen- 
erally, in  our  town  and  neighborhood  ;  the  small-pox,  which  for 
some  time  past  has  been  in  and  about  our  town,  in  a  mild  way,  has 
nearly,  perhaps  quite,  disappeared. 

The  latter  part  of  the  fall  and  the  winter,  has  been  remarkably 
mild,  until  this  week,  we  have  snow;  but  the  weather  is  not  yet 
very  severe. 

12th. — Thermometer  two  degrees  above  zero  this  morning.  A 
fine  clear  morning.    Our  dear  Rhoda's  health  greatly  improved, 

13th. — A  very  busy  day  in  my  office.  Charles  ab.sent  at  Cincin- 
nati. 

Twelfth-month  16. — Pirst-dai/. — After  meeting,  went  to  the  board- 
ing-school and  attended  the  Scripture  reading  in  the  boys'  depart- 
ment. 

25th. — To  the  acting  committee,  boarding-school.  Thermome- 
ter two  degrees  below  zero  this  morning.  Our  dear  Mary  appears 
to  be  quite  happy  at  the  school.  There  are  twenty-eighi  in  each 
department,  and  they  seem  to  be  doing  well. 

Many  very  serious  considerations  come  into  my  mind  to-day.  It 
is  designated  as  the  day  upon  which  the  Saviour  of  the  world  was 
born.  The  event  was  a  glorious  one  beyond  all  expression.  "God  so 
loved  the  world  that  he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him  should  not  perish,"  but  have  eternal  life.  Eternal 
life!  what  a  consideration!  And  just  to  think  of  our  lost  and  mis- 
erable condition  without  our  Saviour's  love!  A  lively  sense  of  un- 
utterable and  internal  gratitude  should  fill  our  hearts  for  the  great, 
5 


58 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1849. 


mercy  of  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  May  I  ever  think 
of  it;  and  may  it  have  a  marked  influence  over  my  conduct  and  my 
life.  And  as  the  time  rapidly  approaches,  when  it  will  be  infinitely 
beyond  every  other  consideration,  to  be  found  in  the  arms  of  Christ> 
among  the  nations  of  them  that  are  saved,  with  Christ  as  the  King, 
may  I  more  and  more  yield  to  be  his  servant  in  truth  and  sincerity 
now,  and  seek  for  being  more  thoroughly  under  His  kingdom  and 
government.  May  the  Lord  help  me  with  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  may 
my  faith  and  obedience  be  increased. 

2Gth. — Fourth-day. — Monthly  Meeting.  Daniel  Williams  at- 
tended with  his  certificate :  his  services  edifying ;  had  a  good  meet- 
ing. London  General  Epistle  read,  and  business  from  the  Yearly 
Meeting  attended  to. 

28th. — To  Whitewater  school  with  the  committee.  The  school 
has  now  about  sixty  scholars,  under  the  care  of  Daniel  Clark  and 
wife.  The  school  seems  to  be  doing  pretty  well.  The  commit- 
tee is  to  report  to  next  Monthly  Meeting. 

29th. — Our  beloved  children,  Charles  and  Rhoda,  having  pur- 
chased the  dwelling  and  property  lately  occupied  by  Robert  Hill, 
and  her  health  and  condition  having  greatly  improved,  removed  from 
our  house  to  their  own,  to-day.  Their  company  has  been  cordial 
and  pleasant  to  us,  and  we  shall  no  doubt  feel  the  loss  of  it.  But 
we  rejoice  that  our  dear  daughter  is  better;  and  in  the  encourage- 
in2  circumstances  which  now  attend  them. 

30th. — Cold.  Thermometer  two  degrees  below  zero  this  morn- 
ing. Our  dear  Mary  at  home  last  night  on  a  visit.  She  returned 
this  afternoon  to  the  boarding-school,  and  I  also  went,  and  attended 
the  Scripture  reading  with  the  girls  to  satisfaction. 

31gt. — Thermometer  five  degrees  below  zero  at  six  A.  M.  Weather 
beautifully  clear.  Some  snow,  and  much  ice.  Remarkably  healthy 
in  the  town  and  neighborhood  generally. 

It  is  a  solemn  thought  that  the  year  now  draws  to  a  close.  How 
fast  the  years  pass  away.  How  soon  must  our  lives  be  gone,  and 
we  be  no  more  here  below  !  O  that  I  and  my  dear  family  m;iy  be 
prepared  for  our  latter  end.  What  a  blessed  place  is  Heaven — and 
how  unspeakably  desirable  to  be  permitted  to  partake  of  that  happy 
home  forever.  And  to  think  of  the  company  there.  Saints  aiii 
angels,  and  glorified  spirits  who  have  gone  before  us.  We  have 
rouch  to  arouse  aad  stimulate  us  to  watchfulness  and  faithful- 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


59 


iicss ;  and  may  we  not  exclaim  with  Dr.  Y^oung,  "  How  much  is  to 
be  done!  "  May  I  constantly  remember  that  the  night  cometh  in 
which  no  one  can  work.  Heavenly  Father!  favor  me  with  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  make  my  duty  clearly  known  to  me,  and  help  me 
to  do  it.    "  Lead  me  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  me  from  evil." 

Firsf-montk  1,  1850. — A  fine  morning.  Thermometer  six  degrees 
above  zero.  What  a  wonderful  year  the  past  has  been  !  What  a 
great  number  of  very  important  events  have  taken  place.  The 
revolutions  in  Europe;  the  immense  flow  of  men  into  California 
in  quest  of  gold,  found  there  in  so  great  quantities  ;  the  awful 
prevalence  of  that  dreadful  pestilence,  the  cholera,  in  so  many 
places ;  and,  perhaps,  many  other  things  are  to  be  noticed  as  great 
events.  Further,  we  turn  our  minds  to  the  number  of  our  dear 
friends  and  acquaintances  who  have  been  taken  from  works  to  re- 
wards, during  the  year. 

I  have  been  engaged,  among  other  things,  in  promoting  the  sale 
'>f  about  900  copies  of  Evans'  Exposition,  among  Friends  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting;  also,  a  large  number  of  the  "Selection  of  Advices" 
.)f  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London — a  valuable  work.  I  feel  satis- 
faction in  having  endeavored  to  promote  the  circulation  and  reading 
of  these  books.  I  am  now  engaged  in  endeavoring  to  procure  the 
publication  of  an  edition  of  "Fuller's  Catechism,''  which  I  think  is 
a  good  little  work  for  families,  and  I  hope  may  do  good. 

My  dear  wife  has  continued  the  reading  to  us  of  evenings,  the 
Memorials  of  Rebecca  Jones,  which  has  been  instructive  and  edify- 
ing. She  has,  also,  read  recently  the  Memorials  of  deceased  Min- 
isters, published  by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London  in  1849. 

How  thankful  we  ought  to  be  for  the  many  opportunities  of  in- 
struction and  enjoyment,  which  are  allowed  to  us.  We  should  con- 
sider much  upon  those  favors. 

4th. — Funeral  of  Isaac  Anderson. 

5th. — Still  continues  cold,  with  much  ice,  and  the  ground  covered 
with  snow.  Thermometer  two  degrees  below  zero  this  morning. 
Beautifully  clear.    Very  healthy. 

8th. — Edmund  Winslow,  son  of  Jacob  Winslow,  near  Dublin, 
ft  young  man  and  scholar  in  our  boarding-school,  died  this  after- 
noon. An  afflictive  dispensation  to  his  parents,  and  an  afflicting  cir- 
••umstance  to  his  fellow-scholars  and  the  family. 

9th. — My  dear  wife  went  to  the  school  in  the  morning,  and  re- 


60 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850- 


mained  until  the  deceased  was  taken  away;  I  was  indisposed  and 
did  not  go, — but  went  to  meeting,  which  she  also  reached. 

11th. — Finished  reading  the  Memorials  of  Rebecca  Jones.  An 
interesting,  instructive  and  edifying  work. 

18th. — Somewhat  indisposed  for  several  days  past,  yet  so  as  to 
be  about  the  house,  and  out  to  my  oflSce  each  business  day.  I  have 
been  engaged  in  compiling  a  revised  list  of  meetings  in  Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting.  My  mind  has  also  been  drawn  to  think  of  the 
present  state  of  our  libraries,  with  desires  for  their  increase  in 
usefulness;  and  also,  I  much  desire  that  the  members  of  our  Yearly 
Meeting  might  be  encouraged  to  procure  good  books,  for  their  own 
families,  on  religious  and  moral  subjects,  and  promote  the  circula- 
tion and  reading  of  such  as  would  spread  a  knowledge  of  our  prin- 
ciples, and  uphold  the  standard  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

We  have  commenced  reading  in  our  family  of  evenings,  the 
Life  and  Correspondence  of  William  and  Alice  Ellis,  by  Jas.  Back- 
house ;  a  copy  of  which  has  been  kindly  sent  me  by  my  dear  friend 
Josiah  Foster. 

Our  morning  lessons  are  now  in  the  book  of  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles,  which  is  renewedly  interesting  and  instructive. 

First-month  22.— Acting  committee,  boarding-school.  Several 
interesting  matters  were  acted  upon.  The  scholars  appear  to  be  do- 
ing well.  The  superintendents  are  agreeable  and  the  teachers  very 
satisfactory. 

23d. — Monthly  Meeting.  My  dear  wife  and  myself  having  felt 
our  minds  for  some  time  past  drawn  to  visit,  in  the  love  of  Truth, 
several  families,  most  of  them  our  near  relations,  in  the  limits  of 
Walnut  Ridge  and  Spiceland  Monthly  Meetings,  we  felt  best  satis- 
fied to  expose  the  matter  to  our  friends  to-day.  The  meeting  free- 
ly united  with  us,  and  minutes  were  made  to  that  effect.  The  good 
feeling  that  attends  is  humbling.  May  we  be  favored  to  keep  low, 
and  in  our  proper  place.  0  that  we  may  be  blessed  with  a  measure 
of  the  Good  Spirit,  and  be  favored  to  exalt,  rather  than  lower,  or 
discredit,  the  good  cause  that  we  pretend  to  advocate.  And  may 
the  name  of  the  Lord  be  our  help  and  our  shield,  and  uppermost 
in  our  hearts. 

26th. — Went  to  Cincinnati  on  business.  27th,  28th. — At  Cincin- 
nati. Our  little  Catechism  is  in  type,  and  the  plates  are  to  be  done 
soon.    29th. — Returned  home.   My  dear  Hannah  Amelia  has  been 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


61 


with  me  this  journey,  and  the  visit  to  our  children  in  Cincinnati 
has  been  pleasant. 

They  are  about  making  a  railroad  from  Cincinnati  to  Hamilton. 
It  is  said  the  stock  is  taken.    Part  of  the  grading  is  done. 

30th. — Fourth-day. — Meeting.  Our  dear  friend  Anna  Thorn- 
burgh  was  present,  and  had  acceptable  and  edifying  service  in  the 
ministry.  She  has  it  in  prospect  to  visit  part  of  the  meetings  in  our 
Quarter  and  in  New  Garden  Quarter. 

Second-month  1,  1850. — To  the  boarding-school  in  the  after- 
noon, i 

Second-month  2. — Thirty  years  ago,  to-day,  my  dear  wife  and 
I  were  joined  in  marriage  at  New  Garden  in  North  Carolina.  My 
mind  returns  to  those  scenes  of  our  early  life,  which  occurred  about 
that  time,  with  deep  and  lively  interest.  How  deep  and  ardent  was 
our  affection  for  each  other — and  how  active  our  interest  in  the  af- 
fairs of  our  new  situation.  And  now  that  we  have  lived  together 
thipty  years,  may  we  not  say  that  our  affection  is  undiminished. 
We  have  passed  through  many  probations,  and  what  have  seemed 
to  us  at  the  time  as  severe  afflictions,  yet  we  may  acknowledge  with 
humility,  and  heartfelt  gratitude,  that  we  have  been  blessed  quite 
beyond  what  we  could  have  asked  or  thought.  We  now  enjoy  com- 
forts beyond  what  we  could  once  have  looked  for,  and  the  enjoy- 
ment of  society,  and  of  our  children,  and  of  one  another,  is  indeed 
very  great.  We  ought  not,  therefore,  to  be  ashamed  to  speak  well 
of  the  good  and  merciful  Giver  of  all  the  comforts  and  enjoyments 
of  our  present  life,  both  temporal  and  spiritual. 

3d. —  First-day. — A  very  wintry,  stormy  day  of  wind  and  snow. 
I  have  made  good  progress  with  the  list  of  meetings.  We  are  in- 
terested and  edified  with  the  reading  of  the  Life  and  Correspondence 
of  William  and  Alice  Ellis.     My  dear  wife  still  reads  of  evenings. 

4th. — Thermometer  ten  degrees  below  zero.  Fine  and  clear; 
much  snow  ;  pretty  good  health,  generally. 

5th. — Thermometer  nearly  fifteen  degrees  below  zero  at  J  past 
six,  A.  M. ;  weather  clear  ;  much  snow.  One  o'clock  P.  M.,  thermom- 
eter twenty-two  degrees  above  zero  ;  weather  becoming  hazy. 

Second-month  14. — Much  snow  fell  last  night,  so  that  we  have  a 
greater  depth  now  on  the  ground  than  common  ;  greater,  I  think, 
than  we  have  had  for  several  years  before.  It  looks  very  wintry 
this  morning,  yet  the  cold  is  not  severe.     We  have  been  looking 


62 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


toward  this  day  to  set  oif  upon  our  proposed  visit  to  "Walnut  Ridge, 
etc.  It  appears  discouraging  this  morning,  but  perhaps  things 
may  appear  brighter  by  the  afternoon. 

Since  the  last  date,  I  have  been  blessed  with  good  health,  and 
have  been  busily  engaged  in  various  duties  and  concerns  appertain- 
ing to  an  active  life.  Our  business  has  progressed  rather  agreeably. 
Our  schools  appear  to  be  doing  well,  but  we  have  some  trouble. 

The  apostle  says,  Romans  V,  (which  was  our  lesson  this  morn- 
ing) "we  have  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 
I  am  much  impres.sed  with  this  description  of  apostolic  experience ; 
while  I  acknowledge  the  Lord's  mercy  toward  me,  through  our 
blessed  Saviour, — I  must  seek  for  greater  experience  in  that  peace  to 
which  the  apostle  alludes,  by  greater  faithfulness. 

We  set  off  after  two  o'clock  p.  M.,  on  our  proposed  journey, 
there  being  much  snow  on  the  ground,  and  more  falling.  Having 
proceeded  about  eight  miles,  the  weather  was  so  very  inclement, 
and  the  road  so  soft  in  some  places  under  the  snow,  that  we  found 
it  too  hard  on  our  horse,  besides  being  too  exposing  to  ourselves  : 
therefore  considered  it  best  to  return. 

15th. — A  pretty  day.  We  made  some  exertion  to  get  off  again 
this  morning,  with  two  horses,  and  a  friend  with  us  ;  but  we  seemed 
unable  to  bring  it  about,  and  during  this  day  and  the  next,  my 
mind  was  much  on  our  visit,  our  journey,  and  the  Monthly  Meeting 
at  Walnut  Ridge,  which  occurred  on  the  Seventh-day,  the  16th. — 
In  the  evening  of  the  day  last  named,  a  little  light  seemed  to  spring 
up,  and  I  felt  like  renewing  our  effort  on  the  Second-day  morning, 
the  18th. 

18th. — Our  dear  friend  Wm.  Kenworthy  having  consented  to  join 
us  ;  and  Richard  Pedrick  having  kindly  supplied  another  horse,  we 
three  set  off  early,  myself,  wife,  and  William.  Called  at  Josiah 
Morris'  to  dinner — then  to  brother  Paul's,  and  after  a  short  stay, 
went  forward  and  reached  Knightstown,  to  our  dear  brother  and 
sister  Newby's,  about  eight  P.  M. 

19th. — To  Carthage;  to  Friend's  school  there,  Lewis  Johnson, 
teacher,  which  was  in  good  order,  and  interested  us;  thence  to  John 
Clark's  ;  thence  to  Betbuel  White's. 

20th. — Fourth-day. — Visited  the  school  at  Walnut  Ridge,  Sam- 
uel Hill,  teacher;  in  which  we  were  interested.  Thence  to  Walnut 
Ridge  meeting.    A  marriage  was  accomplished  at  the  close  of  the 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


63 


meeting,  after  which  our  minutes  were  read,  and  Friends  freely 
welcomed  us  among  them.  In  the  afternoon,  we  visited  the  families 
of  the  widow  Mahalah  White,  and  Isaac  White  (son  of  my  brother 
and  sister  Robert  and  Rebecca),  and  went  to  John  Newby's  in  the 
evening,  to  stay  the  night.  At  these  several  places,  aforenamed, 
we  had  interesting  interviews. 

Second-month  21. — In  the  morning  to  Wm.  Cathon's;  then  to 
Westland  meeting;  at  the  close  our  minutes  were  read.  We  din- 
ed at  John  Brown's  ;  then  to  John  Coffin's  ;  then  to  Nathan  Dicks 
Coffin's,  he  and  his  family  residing  with  our  sister  Phebe,  widow  of 
my  dear  deceased  brother  Zacharias,  at  his  late  residence.  We  had 
a  solemn  and  satisfactory  interview. 

22d. — In  the  morning  to  Jonathan  Rawle's;  (Alfred  Coffin  was 
here ;  his  daughter  at  Nathan  Dicks')  ;  here  we  had  a  tender  time 
together;  Jonathan  and  Phebe  and  Alfred  have,  recently,  joined 
the  Methodists.  Thence  to  Eli  White's  ;  thence  to  Thomas  White's; 
thence  to  Elihu  Coffin's.  Here  we  had  an  interesting  circle  of 
young  people  ;  his  son,  Newton,  having  just  returned  home  with 
his  wife,  and  some  other  company,  for  the  first  time  after  marriage. 
To  Bethuel  White's  in  the  evening. 

23d. — To  Thaddeus  White's  in  the  morning;  then  returning  to 
B.  C's,  we  set  off  homeward,  and  after  making  two  calls  in  Carthage, 
went  forward  to  our  brother  and  sister  Newby's,  at  Knightstown. 

24th. — First-day. — To  Eli  Charles';  to  Henry  White's;  then  to 
meeting  atRaysville.  After  meeting,  to  Rich'd  J.  Hubbard's;  then 
an  interview  with  Isaac  and  Hannah  Parker,  at  Micah  Newby's  ; 
then  to  Nathan  Parker's ;  his  dear  afflicted  wife  appears  to  be  in 
lovely  sweetness  of  mind;  then  called  to  see  Joseph  Jay,  who  is 
ill  with  consumption;  afterward  to  Butler  Hubbard's;  then  to 
Asher  Hiatt's ;  and  then  to  Henry  Sellenger's,  in  the  country, 
where  we  staid. 

25th. — Second-day. — To  Blias  Jessop's,  and  made  a  short  call  ; 
then  to  Nathan  Macy's ;  then  to  Spiceland,  and  in  the  afternoon 
visited  the  school  at  Spiceland,  and  afterward  went  to  Daniel  John- 
son's, on  Flat  Rock,  on  our  way  homeward. 

26th. — Arrived  home  in  the  evening  weary,  but  found  all  well; 
and  were  thankful  for  the  mercies  and  favors  which  had  attended 
us.  Our  hearts  have  been  refreshed  by  this  visit.  May  we  be 
more  humble,  and  more  dedicated  to  be  just  what  we  ought  to  be. 


64 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


27th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Returned  our  minutes,  and  Friends 
expressed  their  satisfaction  with  our  report. 

Third-nwnih  1  and  2,  1850.— Our  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Milford. 
f  have  felt  very  low. 

3d. —  First-day. —  We  came  homeward  to  the  meeting  at  the 
boarding-school. 

7th. — We  hear  to-day  of  the  decease  of  Parker  Gordon,  at  Aaron 
White's,  last  night.  A  fine  young  man,  in  the  flower  of  life  ;  his 
decease  causes  much  shock  in  the  neighborhood,  and  particularly 
among  the  young  people.  We  understand  that  he  appeared  to 
come  to  a  happy  close. 

9th. — I  have  finished  the  list  of  meetings,  and  it  is  now  ready 
to  be  reported  to  the  committee  in  the  case. 

There  appears  to  be  a  great  rush  going  to  California  in  pursuit 
of  gold.  Many  of  our  acquaintance  are  going  this  season  from  this 
county. 

31st. — Since  the  last  date,  I  have  been  much  engaged  in  various 
concerns.  Each  day  has  appeared  to  have  its  full  share.  Through 
the  kindness  of  a  good  Providence,  I  and  my  dear  family  have  been 
blessed  with  a  share  of  good  health  ;  and  good  health  appears  to 
prevail  in  our  parts  generally.  We  hear  of  the  cholera  in  a  few 
places  at  a  distance,  but  I  do  not  know  that  it  has  been  near 
here.  The  weather  has  been  very  fine  and  dry,  but  cold  for  the 
season.  For  all  the  multiplied  blessings  of  the  good  Giver,  how 
thoughtful  and  grateful  should  we  be. 

There  is  a  great  deal  of  talk  about  going  to  California  in  search 
of  gold,  etc.  It  is  expected  that  many  will  soon  set  off  from  this 
county,  and  a  considerable  number  from  this  town  in  a  very  short 
time.  Some  have  already  started.  We  feel  disposed  to  discourage 
our  friends  from  going,  for  the  motive  they  have;  and  I  feel  par- 
ticularly against  married  men  going  and  leaving  their  wives  and 
families.  Some  go  by  the  way  of  the  Isthmus  of  Panama,  and  some 
across  the  wilderness  and  mountains,  nearly  westward.  We  have 
accounts  that  much  gold  continues  to  be  found  in  California;  seve- 
ral millions  have  been  brought  to  our  eastern  seaports  from  that 
country  within  a  year  past. 

There  is  a  lively  feeling  now  in  this  community  to  join  in  mak- 
ing a  railroad  from  Dayton  to  Richmond.  There  is  a  prospect  that 
the  work  will  soon  be  begun.    Our  turnpike  to  Centerville  has 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


65 


been  finished  some  months,  and  is  doing  well.  It  is  a  great  out- 
ward comfort  to  have  so  good  a  road  in  place  of  one  so  very  muddy 
as  that  from  Richmond  toward  the  west  has  been  at  many  times. 

The  winter  session  of  our  boarding-school  closed  on  the  22d  in- 
stant. We  have  had  about  twenty-six  to  twenty-eight  of  each  sex, 
and  I  believe  the  school  has  been  useful.  The  summer  session  was 
commenced  on  the  25th. 

Our  dear  children,  Charles  and  Rhoda,  are  preparing  to  set  out 
to-morrow,  Fourth-month  1st,  on  a  visit  to  the  eastern  part  of  Ohio, 
to  William  H.  Ladd's  and  elsewhere.  I  rejoice  that  Rhoda's  health 
is  sufficiently  restored  to  undertake  the  visit;  and  although  my 
cares  and  labor  may  be  increased  by  Charles'  absence,  the  relaxa- 
tion is  due  to  him,  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  and  his  diligent 
and  faithful  services,  and  I  encourage  them  to  proceed. 

Letters  from  our  dear  friend  Benjamin  Seebohm,  inform  us 
that  he  and  his  companion,  Robert  Lindsay,  have  been  attending 
meetings  in  the  limits  of  White  Lick  quarter;  and  being  about  to 
proceed  toward  those  of  Blue  River  quarter,  they  are  probably  en- 
gaged there  now. 

Fourth-moiilh  1,  1S50. — Second-day. — Charles  and  Rhoda  set  off 
this  morning  upon  their  journey,  in  their  own  carriage,  with  one 
horse.    Little  Elijah  stays  with  us. 

To-day  is  the  "  April  election,"  as  it  is  called,  and  a  busy  day. 

2d.— Many  persons  are  leaving  for  California  to-day. 

4th. — This  evening  Anna  Thornburgh  came  in,  with  her  com- 
panions, Lydia  Bell  and  Micajah  C.  Binford.  She  is  set  out  upon 
a  religious  visit  to  Philadelphia,  New  York  and  New  England 
Yearly  Meetings,  and  some  of  the  meetings  thereunto  belonging. 
Her  husband  and  Aaron  Gilbert  have  come  thus  far  with  the  com- 
pany. 

5th. — A.  T.  and  her  companions  set  off  early  this  morning  in  the 
stage-coach  for  Cincinnati.  Joel  Thornburgh  and  A.  G.  returned 
homeward. 

We  have  had  a  pleasant  rain  this  week,  and  the  weather  is  now 
very  fine. 

6th. — I  liavc  had  a  very  busy  week  in  my  outward  concerns.  It 
has  seemed  to  me  as  if  my  physical  and  mental  strength  have  been 
scarcely  equal  to  my  labor.  I  feel  myself  at  times  very  weak,  and 
in  great  danger  of  disgracing  myself,  and  the  profession  I  make 


66 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


♦ 

[1850. 


and  wish  to  sustain.  May  I  be  preserved.  Gracious  assistance, 
mercifully  afforded,  must  be  sought  for;  if  not  afforded,  shall  I  not 
sink?  Instrumental  help  is  also  very  cordial,  when  rightly  ad- 
ministered. But  I  believe  it  is  my  place  also  to  endeavor  to  take 
care  of  myself;  as  I  feel  that  taking  upon  myself  an  increase  of 
exercises  and  cases,  may  so  increase  my  labors,  as  to  exceed  my 
strength  to  perform  them,  without  too  much  prostration  from  the 
effort,  and  weakness  and  depression  are  the  consequence. 

14th. — First-day. — The  past  has  been  another  busy  week  ;  but 
strength  has  been  afforded  to  get  through  it  with  a  good  degree  of 
comfort.  It  has  been  cold  weather  for  the  season,  and  on  one  night 
considerable  snow  fell.  We  hear  good  reports  from  Charles  and 
Rhoda  on  their  journey. 

Our  school  at  Whitewater  meeting-house  is  to  be  opened  to-nior- 
row,  Semira  Hiatt,  teacher. 

Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction  opens  this  day 
week. 

21st. — Fiiat-day. — Charles  and  Rhoda  returned  home  last  even- 
ing; they  have  had  an  agreeable  and  prosperous  journey,  and  a 
satisfactory  visit.  They  bring  us  a  good  report  of  the  health  of 
our  dear  children  and  friends  in  the  eastern  parts  of  Ohio. 

Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction  was  opened  this 
morning.  We  had  a  large  attendance  of  interesting  children  and 
young  persons,  and  I  hope  made  a  favorable  beginning. 

The  weather  has  been  cool  and  dry  for  the  season,  but  there  is 
now  a  change,  and  it  seems  more  like  spring.  The  early  flowers 
are  out;  the  buds  for  blossoms  on  several  of  the  fruit  trees,  are 
coming  forward,  so  that  blossoms  may  soon  be  expected. 

2-lth. — Monthly  Meeting.  Our  friend  Benjamin  Fulghum,  ob- 
tained the  concurrence  of  the  meeting,  to  visit,  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  the  Monthly  Meetings  of 
our  own  Quarterly,  and  to  appoint  some  meetings  among  Friends 
and  others.    John  Pool  is  to  bear  him  company. 

26th. — To  our  school  at  Whitewater,  in  the  afternoon.  The 
teacher,  Semira  Hiatt,  is  getting  along  well,  so  far  as  appears. 
About  thirty  scholars. 

"  Fuller's  Catechism,"  our  new  edition,  is  now  out.  A  good  little 
work.    I  hope  it  may  be  useful. 

By  the  report  of  the  warden  of  the  Indiana  State  prison  at  Jef- 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


67 


fersonville,  about  one  huudi-od  and  twenty-seven  prisoners  therein, 
it  appears  that  the  prison  is  supplied  with  about  fifteen  or  twenty 
copies  of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  I  have  felt  concerned  at  this  great 
defifnenoy,  and  my  mind  has  been  turned,  in  a  degree  of  tenderness, 
toward  my  poor  fellow-creatures  suffering,  in  humiliation  and  deg- 
radation, the  punishment  for  their  crimes.  I  have  written  to  the 
warden  by  Henry  Dickinson,  and  sent  a  pretty  good  assortment  of 
tracts,  to  be  distributed  among  the  prisoners,  if  the  warden  shall 
approve  of  it. 

Fifth-monlh  5. — Our  Scripture  school  at  Whitewater  appears  to 
be  doing  well.    Probably  about  fifty  in  attendance. 

To  the  boarding-school  after  meeting.  I  distributed,  in  the 
girls'  department,  about  twenty-three  copies  of  Gurney's  Hymns, 
which  had  been  sent  to  me  by  a  friend  in  Philadelphia  for  dis- 
tribution. 

11th. — I  have  been  closely  engaged  about  home,  in  my  ordinary 
business,  for  the  few  weeks  past.  General  good  health  prevails  in 
our  neighborhood.  The  spring  still  advances  slowly;  it  has  been  i 
cool  and  backward;  but  the  meadows  and  pastures  are  now  green, 
and  the  fruit  trees  in  delightful  bloom.  I  am  thankful  that  I  am 
given  to  feel  some  true  love  and  gratefulness  to  the  great  and  good 
Giver,  for  the  many  blessings  and  comforts  that  we  have. 

I  have  a  satisfactory  reply  from  the  warden  of  the  State  prison; 
he  informs  me  that  a  supply  of  Bibles  has  been  procured  by  the 
authority  of  the  legislature,  of  which  I  am  glad.  I  did  propose  to 
make  an  effort  to  procure  a  supply,  in  case  it  had  not  been  attended 
to.  He  also  seems  glad  of  the  triitts,  and  speaks  particularly  well 
of  some. 

12th. — Distributed  about  thirty-five  copies  of  Gurney's  Hymns, 
in  the  boys'  department,  at  the  boarding-.school,  after  Scripture 
reading  this  afternoon. 

I  have  been  grieved  with  an  anonymous  review  of  the  document 
prepared  by  the  associated  committees  of  Friends,  at  Baltimore, 
last  summer. 

19th. — To  our  First-day  Scripture  school  at  nine  o'clock  A.M. 
An  interesting  company  of  about  fifty  young  persons  and  children 
have  attended.  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  In  the  afternoon, 
to  the  First-day  school  of  colored  persons  in  Richmond. 


68 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


The  weather  still  continues  cool,  and  it  is  dry,  a  prospect  of  a 
,  large  yield  of  fruits. 

22d, — Monthly  Meeting.  In  the  evening,  our  dear  friends 
Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Kobert  Lindsay,  and  their  companion, 
Joseph  GrifBn,  came  in. 

23d. — Our  friends  went  to  New  Garden  in  the  evening. 

25th.- — New  Garden  Quarterly  Meeting;  my  dear  wife  attended. 
Still  very  dry  weather.  We  have  reports,  for  the  last  few  days,  of 
a  meditated  attack  upon  the  island  of  Cuba,  by  a  combination  of 
robbers  and  soldiers,  who  have,  it  is  said,  secretly  associated  for 
that  purpose;  and  most  of  them,  perhaps,  Americans.  Their  pre- 
tended object  is  said  to  be  to  subjugate  the  island,  wrest  it  from 
the  Spanish  government,  and  set  up  an  independent  government  in 
Cuba.    A  very  wicked  movement. 

29th. — Our  dear  friends,  B.  Seebohm  and  R.  Lindsay,  and  their 
companion,  Joseph  Griffin,  came  in  again  this  evening. 

30th. — Meeting  for  Sufferings.  Several  important  matters  were 
acted  upon  and  disposed  of,  in  harmony  and  to  satisfaction.  A 
memorial,  forwarded  by  Milford  Monthly  Meeting,  concerning  our 
dear,  honored  father,  Benajah  Hiatt,  was  read,  and  referred  to  an 
appropriate  committee. 

Having  long  felt  a  lively  desire  for  increased  concern  and  energy 
among  our  members  in  the  several  meetings  of  our  Yearly  Meeting, 
in  the  procuring,  reading  and  circulating  of  suitable,  sound,  ap- 
proved books  and  tracts,  on  the  history,  faith  and  doctrines  of  our 
religious  society,  and  also  on  religious,  moral  and  scientific  subjects, 
and  that  our  libraries  might  b«  revived,  increased  and  rendered 
more  useful,  I  was  engaged  to  lay  the  subject  fully  open  before  our 
Meeting  for  Sufferings.  The  meeting  appeared  to  enter  into  the 
concern  in  a  lively  manner,  and  a  large  committee  was  appointed 
thereon,  which  was  a  great  satisfaction  to  me.  They  are  to  report 
at  next  meeting. 

The  expression  of  this  concern,  which  had  for  some 
time  engaged  the  serious  attention  of  Elijah  Coffin,  re- 
sulted, as  will  be  seen  in  the  following  pages,  in  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee  of  Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting,  in  the  management  of  which  he  took  an 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


69 


iucreasing  interest,  and  of  which  he  served  as  clerk  during 
the  remainder  of  his  Ufe. 

The  annexed  minute,  adverting  to  his  decease,  and 
adopted  at  the  meeting  of  the  committee,  held  First, 
month  27,  i8(j2,  a  few  days  after  his  dissolution,  gives 
expression  to  the  feeUngs  of  its  members,  and  will  furnish 
a  proof  of  the  estimation  in  which  his  services  were  held. 

We  have  met  this  morning  under  feelings  of  no  ordinary  char- 
acter. Our  beloved  Clerk  and  Correspondent  is  no  more  ;  he  who 
has  served  the  cause  in  which  we  are  engaged  so  faithfully,  ever 
since  the  organization  of  the  committee,  has  left  a  vacancy  that  wt 
feel  can  not  easily  be  filled. 

It  is  not  only  on  account  of  his  services  as  Clerk  and  Corres- 
pondent, but  his  labors  in  writing,  selecting  and  correcting  of 
tracts,  the  superintendency  of  printing,  and  his  general  oversight 
of  the  whole  concern,  together  with  that  hearty  good  cheer  in 
which  he  ever  met  us  at  our  Quarterly  Meetings,  that  we  feel  our 
loss  so  keenly.  May  we  be  increasingly  stimulated  to  a  faithful 
discharge  of  the  work  which  lay  so  near  his  heart. 

A  few  days  before  his  close,  he  dictated  the  following 
affectionate  address,  to  wit : 

To  the  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee: 

Mt  Dear  Friends  : — My  soul  glows  in  the  most  tender  warmth 
of  affection  toward  you,  individually  and  collectively;  and,  as  a 
small  testimonial  of  my  love  and  remembrance  and  near  fellowship, 
after  many  years'  labor  in  connection  with  yourselves,  I  wish  to 
make  you  a  donation  of  a  few  articles  of  furniture  for  your 

office;  consisting  of  two  tables,   chairs,  one  settee,  one  large 

writing-desk  and  one  small  one,  one  stove,  one  small  looking-glass, 
some  blinds  for  the  windows,  a  case  for  filing  papers,  etc.,  and  a 
box  of  pigeon-holes,  together  with  sundry  inkstands,  and  other 
small  articles  for  use  in  the  office.  Then,  as  I  believe,  in  a  measure 
of  the  love  of  Christ,  I  bid  you  affectionately  farewell,  desiring 
your  prosperity  in  the  cause  in  which  we  have  been  engaged,  and 


~0  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1850. 

your  perseverance  in  the  good  work.  Iioping  that  the  Lord  may 
add  his  blessing. 

Elijah  Coffin. 

Ru  himmd,  Twelfth-month  26.  18(J1. 

On  presentation,  the  above  eoinmunication  was  received 
with  manifestations  of"  deep  sorrow  and  warm  affection. 
( )ne  alluded  to  the  language  of  David  as  being  applicable, 
saying  we  are  "this  day  weak;"  and  many  remarked  upon 
the  loss  sustained,  giving  assurance  that  Elijah  Coffin  was 
loved  and  appreciated  by  his  associates  in  the  \\ork.  He 
continues  his  account  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  under  the 
date  of  Fifth-month  30  : 

The  act  of  incorporation  of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  by  the  legis- 
lature of  the  State  of  Indiana,  was  read  and  accepted. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  statement  of  meetings  which  I  had  been 
engaged  in  compiling,  from  materials  sent  in  to  me  by  the  com- 
mittee and  from  other  sources,  was  presented  and  partly  gone 
through. 

31st. — Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  .seven  o'clock  A.  M.  The  state- 
ment of  meetings  was  finished,  and,  with  emendations,  adopted,  and 
is  to  be  printed.  Other  matters  being  all  gone  through,  which  it 
seemed  proper  now  to  act  upon,  the  meeting  closed,  under  a  sense 
of  thankfulness  I'or  the  favors  whicli  have  attended. 

General  boarding-school  committee  at  eight  o'clock.  Report  of 
the  acting  committee,  by  reading  its  minutes,  satisfactory. 

Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. ;  largely 
attended  and  satisfactory. 

African  committee  at  two  o'clock.  Bible  Association  at  three 
o'clock. 

Sixth-month  1,  1850. — Seventh-day. — Branch  committee  on  edu- 
cation at  nine  o'clock. 

Quarterly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  Certificates  or  minutes 
for  Benjamin  Seebohm,  Robert  Lindsay,  Daniel  Wood,  John  Milee 
and  John  Stanton  were  read;  and  they  were  all  in  attendance. 

We  were  favored  with  an  interesting  and  satisfactory  Quarterly 
Meeting ;  business  progressed  in  the  unity  of  Friends,  and  was 
disposed  of  to  satisfactiou. 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


71 


The  important  document  prepared  by  the  associated  committees 
of  several  Yearly  Meetings  at  Baltimore,  in  the  Seventh-month 
last,  was  read  and  united  with,  and  incorporated  into  our  minutes. 

2d. —  Fir&t-day. —  Our  friends  B.  S.  and  R.  L.  attended  our 
Scripture  school  with  us  this  morning.  The  meeting  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  Ji.  was  large  ;  B.  S.  spoke  with  great  force. 

3d. — Our  friends  set  off  to-day  for  Spiceland  ;  and  mj"^  dear  wife 
left  this  morning  in  the  omnibus  for  Cincinnati,  on  a  visit  to  our 
children  there. 

8th. — My  wife  returned  this  evening,  and  brings  a  good  report 
of  health  of  our  children. 

9th. — We  had  a  pressing  message  this  afternoon  from  the  board- 
ing-school, that  our  daughter  Mary  was  dangerously  ill,  from  some 
cause  not  satisfactorily  known.  Having  sent  for  two  physicians, 
we  hastened  to  the  school,  and  found  our  dear  Mary  struggling  for 
breath,  in  great  extremity.  The  whole  school,  and  ourselves  of 
course,  were  thrown  into  great  distress,  in  sympathy  and  fear  for 
her.  The  physicians  soon  arrived,  and  emetics  having  been 
promptly  given  by  them,  vomiting  was  excited,  and  after  awhile 
she  was  much  relieved.  She  had  been  troubled  with  nettle-rash ; 
and  being  exposed  to  a  violent  gust  of  wind,  as  the  girls  came  out 
from  dinner,  the  complaint  seized  upon  her  chest,  and  was  explained 
to  produce  the  violent  and  dangerous  symptoms  which  ensued. 
She  became  easy,  so  we  returned  home  in  the  evening. 

10th. — We  brought  Mary  home  this  afternoon.  She  feels  weak 
from  the  effects  of  her  struggles  yesterday;  but  is,  we  hope,  in  a 
way  to  recover. 

11th. — Our  friend  A.  C.  Blanchard,  and  his  wife  and  family,  set 
off  this  morning  to  New  England,  on  a  visit,  expecting  to  be  absent 
a.  considerable  time. 

22d. — After  a  long  time  of  dry  weather,  we  have  been  blessed, 
.■^ince  last  date,  with  very  fine  and  refreshing  rains,  which  have 
revived  the  drooping  vegetation,  and  cheered  the  spirits  of  the 
husbandmen.  We  ought  to  remember  that  every  good  gift,  whether 
temporal  or  spiritual,  comes  to  us  through  the  favor  of  Him  whose 
I'rovidence  rules  through  all  his  works,  and  that  gratefulness  and 
thankfulness  of  heart  are  ever  due  to  Him,  without  whose  favor 
what  would  our  lives  be!    Another  great  blessing  is  now  generally 


72 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


enjoyed  in  this  country,  calling  for  gratitude  and  acknowledgment; 
that  is,  the  blessing  of  general  good  health. 

There  is  a  prospect  now  of  good  crops  of  wheat,  and  corn,  and 
fruits,  and  many  other  things. 

25th. — Our  friend  John  Starr  died  this  morning,  about  five 
o'clock.    The  disease  appeared  like  consumption. 

26th. — Burial  this  morning;  largely  attended.  Monthly  Meet- 
ing. Our  friend  Benjamin  Fulghum  made  satisfactory  report  of 
his  visit  to  our  Monthly  Meetings,  8piceland  Quarterly,  etc.  The 
Baltimore  document  was  read  with  open  partition,  and  well  united 
with,  and  directed  to  be  incorporated  in  the  minutes  or  record. 

The  piratical  expedition  against  Cuba  by  Lopez  and  his  asso- 
ciates, appears  to  have  entirely  failed  of  that  success  which  they 
hoped  for.  After  landing  at  Cardenas,  and  doing  considerable 
mischief,  they  were  obliged  to  re-embark,  and  being  soon  chased, 
were  induced  to  make  a  speedy  end  of  their  wicked  enterprise, 
by  landing  at  one  of  the  islands  belonging  to  the  United  States, 
and  scattering  off. 

28th. — We  hear  that  several  cases  of  cholera  occurred  at  Cincin- 
nati, on  Seventh  and  First-days  last. 

The  harvest  of  hay  has  now  commenced,  and  the  wheat  is  fast 
approaching  to  ripeness  for  the  reapers. 

30th. — Very  warm  and  seasonable.  Thermometer  ninety-three 
degrees  at  two  o'clock  P.  M.  to-day.  In  the  morning  Scripture 
school  we  had  forty-four  young  persons  and  children  in  attendance. 
Conduct  very  orderly.  1  have  to-day  finished  reading  the  last 
volume  of  the  Life  of  William  Allen,  a  very  entertaining  and  in- 
structive work. 

Seventh-month  9. —  Third-day. — At  about  ten  o'clock  this  evening, 
Zachary  Taylor,  President  of  the  United  States,  died  at  Washington 
city.  A  deep  impression  is  made  upon  the  whole  country  by  the 
intelligence  of  his  death,  so  sudden  and  unexpected. 

11th. — Millard  Fillmore,  Vice-President,  has  been  inaugurated, 
and  is  now  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

There  is  much  sickness  at  Cincinnati ;  the  reports  of  deaths  from 
cholera,  have  been  stated  from  twenty-eight  to  over  sixty,  upon 
different  days,  recently. 

A  good  Providence  greatly  blesses  us  with  an  excellent  share  of 
good  health  of  late,  in  a  general  way,  for  which  we  ought  to  be 


1850.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN,  73 

greatly  thankful.  The  weather  is  very  hot  and  seasonable,  ther- 
monieter  over  ninety  degrees,  several  days. 

IQth. — Our  dear  friends,  Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Robert  Lindsay, 
are  now  with  us,  having  returned  here  on  the  13th  inst.  They  were 
at  Orange  on  the  15th,  and  at  Smyrna  to-day. 

Still  warm,  seasonable  and  generally  healthy. 

We  hear  that  the  citizens  of  New  Mexico  have  organized  and 
formed  a  State  constitution,  excluding  slavery;  and  that  there  is 
much  excitement  in  Texas  thereat. 

Seventh-month  17. — Fourth-day. — Meeting.  Benjamin  Seebohm 
and  Robert  Lindsay,  present.  Benjamin  was  lively  and  forcible  in 
the  ministry. 

18th. — Our  friends  set  off  toward  Salem  this  morning. 

23d. — Our  daughter  Mary,  was  very  ill  in  the  evening. 

24th. — Mary  is  more  comfortable.  Attended  our  Monthly  Meet 
ing  to-day ;  our  dear  friends  Benjamin  Fulghum  published  to  the 
meeting  a  concern  to  attend  the  next  Yearly  Meeting  in  Ohio,  and 
John  Pool  expressed  a  willingness  to  bear  him  company.  The 
meeting  freely  united  with  both.  Also,  our  dear  friend,  Susannah 
Pedrick,  laid  before  the  meeting  a  concern  to  visit  the  families  of 
our  Monthly  Meeting,  and  some  who  are  not  members,  who  some 
times  attend  our  religious  meetings.  Her  concern  was  fully  united 
with,  and  she  encouraged  to  go  forward. 

Weather  extremely  hot,  thermometer  over  ninety  degrees,  much 
of  the  day-time,  for  several  days  together.  One  day  ninety-five, 
another  ninety-six  degrees. 

Wheat  crops  excellent,  harvest  about  over. 

30th. — Weather  yet  hot.  Sickness  at  Cincinnati  continues  about 
the  same;  sometimes  under  and  sometimes  over  fifty  intermenta  h 
day ;  about  half  of  the  deaths  are  from  cholera. 

Our  statement  of  meetings  is  printed.  I  am  glad  to  see  it  out, 
and  feel  comfortable  with  the  review  of  having  devoted  much  time 
and  attention  in  preparing  it. 

Eighth-month  1,  1850. — Fifth-day. — Our  friends,  John  Candler* 
and  Maria,  his  wife,  arrived  in  the  coach  this  afternoon.  They  Lave 
been  traveling  for  a  considerable  time  in  the  West  Indies,  from  a 
consideration  of  duty,  making  observation  and  inquiry  into  the 
working  of  emancipation,  etc.,  having  for  their  companions  George 
W.  Alexander  and  Catharine,  his  wife. 
6 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


4th. — First-day. — Our  friends  attended  the  First-day  Scriptural 
school  in  the  morning,  then  meeting.  J.  C.  spoke  well  in  the 
ministry. 

5th. — Our  friends  left  this  morning  for  Grant  county,  to  meet 
some  English  acquaintances  there.  Their  visit  has  been  very  sat- 
isfactory and  agreeable  to  us. 

8th. — A  daughter  was  born  to  our  daughter  Miriam,  in  the  even- 
ing of  this  day.  We  are  glad  to  hear  that  the  mother  and  daugh- 
ter are  doing  well.  We  understand  the  infant's  name  is  called 
Naomi. 

Busily  engaged  in  my  office  for  some  time  past.  I  was  very  sick 
to-day,  from  a  bilious  attack  and  from  medicines ;  but  was  favored 
to  feel  great  consolation  in  the  midst  of  much  bodily  distress,  a 
favor  for  which  I  desire  to  be  humbly  grateful.  Taking  medicines 
and  very  quiet. 

9th. — Better,  but  not  out  to  business. 

Eighth-month  17. — Went  to  Cincinnati  to-day  on  business.  The 
cholera  has  disappeared  almost  entirely,  but  there  is  yet  consider- 
able of  other  sickness  in  the  city.  Our  friends,  J.  C.  and  wife, 
having  returned  from  Grant  county  to  Richmond,  and  gone  thence 
to  Cincinnati,  I  met  with  them  at  meeting  in  the  last-named  city, 
on  the  18th. 

In  Cincinnati  on  the  19th,  and  returned  home  20th. 

23d. — A.  C.  Blanchard  and  his  family  returned  this  afternoon 
from  a  visit  to  New  England. 

25th. — First-day. — Our  First-day  morning  school  for  Scripture 
instruction,  has  been  well  attended  this  summer ;  we  have  from 
thirty  to  forty  usually.  But  there  are  many  young  persons  who 
do  not  attend,  who  might,  as  we  think,  be  benefited  thereby. 

Our  Meeting  for  Worship  at  Whitewater  has  increased  much  dur- 
ing the  last  two  years.  How  could  we  desire  that  vital  religion 
might  also  greatly  increase  among  us. 

We  are  favored  this  summer  with  a  good  share  of  health 
*  generally  in  our  town  and  neighborhood.  Sickness  has  abated 
much  at  Cincinnati,  and  the  cholera  has  almost  entirely  disappeared 
there. 

30th. — The  summer  session  of  the  boarding-school  closed  to-day, 
mad  most  of  the  scholars  are  going  to  their  homes.    The  weather 


1850.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


75 


has  been  dry  for  awhile  past ;  the  crops  of  Irish  potatoes  are  likely 
to  be  very  short. 

31st. — A  sad  message  is  received  to-day  by  our  son  Charles,  from 
Waynesville,  announcing  that  Rachel  Araett,  wife  of  Thomas 
Arnett,  is  dying.  Charles  and  Rhoda  set  off  thither,  in  the 
evening. 

Ninfh-monfh  3,  1850. — We  hear  that  Rachel  Arnett  died  on  the 
31st  ult.,  and  was  buried  1st  inst.  What  an  affecting  shock  must  the 
sad  intelligence  of  her  decease  be  to  her  dear  husband,  now  in 
Europe,  engaged  in  his  religious  visit  there. 

7th. — Our  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held  to-day,  at  Milford.  The 
business  was  transacted  in  harmony.  How  thankful  we  ought  to 
be  for  the  favor  of  unity  and  fellowship.  Answers  to  all  the  queries 
go  forward  as  usual,  to  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

22d. — Our  First-day  Scripture  school  was  brought  to  a  close  for 
the  season,  this  morning.  It  has  been  pretty  well  attended  this 
summer,  and  to  good  satisfaction. 

23d. — Benjamin  Seebohm  and  R.  Lindsay  dined  with  us  to-day, 
having  come  from  the  neighborhood  of  Elk;  then  went  forward 
toward  New  Garden. 

24th. — Our  daughter,  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  with  her  little  daughter 
Ellen,  arrived  this  evening.  We  were  truly  rejoiced  to  have  her 
with  us  again. 

29th. — B.  Seebohm  and  R.  Lindsay  returned  to  our  house  this 
jifternoon. 

Tcjith-month  1,  1850. —  Third-day. — John  D.  Lang,  from  near 
Vassalborough,  Maine,  and  his  companion,  Joseph  Metcalf,  from 
near  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  arrived  this  morning.  Yearly 
Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  An  agreeable 
meeting,  and  pretty  large  attendance.  Nathan  C.  Hoag,  from 
Vermont,  present. 

Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.;  an  interesting 
meeting.  The  committee  on  libraries,  books  and  tracts,  brought 
forward  a  plan  and  regulations  for  the  appointment  of  a  central 
committee,  by  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  corresponding  committees 
by  the  Quarterly  and  Monthly  Meetings ;  and  an  address  to  Friends 
on  the  subjects.  This  subject  having  occupied  much  of  my  atten 
tion  and  consideration  for  a  long  time  past,  I  am  greatly  relieved 
fty  this  movement,  and  encouraged  by  the  favor  with  which  it 


76 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


is  received  by  Friends,  in  the  hope  that  it  may  be  extensively 
useful. 

2d. — General  boarding-school  committee  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M. 
Pretty  satisfactory. 

Yearly  Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  A  good 
meeting.  Fervent  and  moving  supplication  by  Rebecca  Updegraff. 
Indian  committee  at  three  o'clock  P.  M. 

3d. — Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  'at  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.  A 
large  meeting,  united  and  very  satisfactory.  Business  attenJed  to, 
about  in  the  usual  manner.  African  committee  at  four  o'clock  p.  M. 
Reports  interesting.  At  six  o'clock  p.  M.  the  general  committee  on 
education  was  held.    A  large  attendance;  business  interesting. 

4th  and  5th.-- Good  meetings;  unity  and  Christian  fellowship 
prevail  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner;  a  favor  for  which  we  ought 
to  be  deeply  and  humbly  grateful. 

6th. — First-day. — Two  large  meetings  to-day. 

7th  and  8th. — Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  continued;  and 
closed  on  the  8th,  to  great  satisfaction. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  received  with  much  favor,  and  united  with 
the  proposition  to  appoint  committees  on  the  subject  of  libraries, 
books  and  tracts ;  and  a  central  committee  was  appointed  accord- 
ingly. 

The  committee  to  confer  with  like  committees  of  other  I'^early 
Meetings  on  the  general  interests  of  society,  was  continued. 

The  business  of  the  meeting  throughout  was  conducted  and 
brought  to  a  close  in  great  harmony  and  unity. 

9th. — Several  Friends  remained  with  us  and  attended  our  meet- 
ing to-day  (Fourth-day.)  After  meeting,  our  dear  friend  John  D. 
Lang  and  his  companion  left. 

10th. — Our  dear  friends,  Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Robert  Lindsay, 
took  a  final  leave  of  us  this  morning;  they  go  to  visit  the  meetings 
of  Alum-creek  quarter ;  and  afterward  will  probably  leave  the 
limits  of  our  Yearly  Meeting. 

12th. — We  have  our  dear  children  all  with  us  at  our  house  to- 
day.   It  gives  us  great  pleasure  to  have  them. 

Tenth-month  15. — Our  daughter,  Miriam,  left  for  Cincinnati 
yesterday,  and  William  H.  Ladd  and  Caroline  left  to-day. 

21st. — Laboriously  busy  in  my  ofiSce  since  last  date. 

23d. — Fourth-day. — Monthly  Meeting.    My  dear  wife  opened 


1850.] 


LIFB  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


77 


to  the  meeting  an  apprehension  of  duty  to  visit,  in  the  love  of  the 
gospel,  the  meetings  and  families  of  Westfield  Quarterly  Meeting. 
A  very  general  unity  and  sympathy  with  her  in  the  concern  was 
expressed,  and  a  minute  of  approbation  vyas  made. 

26th. — Our  dear  friends,  Rebecca  Clawson  and  Levi  Jessup,  hav- 
ing manifested  a  willingness  to  bear  my  dear  wife  company  during 
her  visit,  and  it  being  inconvenient  for  Levi  to  go  forward  this 
morning,  I  went  in  his  stead  with  them  to  Salem  Monthly  Meeting 
to-day.  The  meeting  was  small,  but  in  a  good  degree  satisfactory. 
Our  friend  Jesse  Arnett  was  also  there.  We  went  after  meeting 
to  our  friend  Henry  Davis'  for  the  night,  and  had  a  satisfactory 
visit  to  the  family. 

27th. — First-day. — Set  off  early  and  reached  our  own  meeting  at 
Whitewater. 

28th. — Second-day. — On  this  day  the  first  meeting  of  our  central 
book  and  tract  committee  was  held  at  Whitewater.  A  very  inter- 
esting meeting  it  was;  much  good  feeling  prevailed.  I  was  ap- 
pointed clerk  and  correspondent,  and  Levi  Jessup  and  Charles  F. 
Coffin,  were  appointed  assistants.  There  is  cause  of  gratitude  that 
our  first  meeting  in  this  concern  opens  so  religiously  and  harmoni- 
ously ;  a  favor  not  at  our  comooand;  may  the  Divine  blessing  con- 
tinue to  be  upon  the  concern. 

29th. — My  dear  wife  and  her  companions  set  out  to-day  upon 
their  visit  to  Poplar  Ridge. 

31st. — This  day  closes  our  business  year  in  our  branch  bank,  and 
we  have  had  much  laborious  service  in  bringing  all  our  business 
nicely  up  ;  but  have  been  favored  with  health  and  strength  suffi- 
cient to  do  it. 

General  good  health  prevails  throughout  our  community,  and  in 
the  country,  generally.  The  weather  is  very  fine  and  dry  ;  the 
crops  of  wheat  have  been  excellent;  those  of  corn,  middling;  oats, 
rather  short;  hay,  decidedly  so  ;  and  Irish  potatoes,  almost  a  fail- 
ure, yet  there  are  some.  Apples  abundant.  So  it  seems  that  in 
this  favored,  productive  and  plentiful  country,  good  Providence 
still  blesses  us,  not  only  with  plenty,  but  with  much  to  spare,  to  be 
added  to  increase. 

We  have  had  some  quite  cool  weather,  with  fine  white  frosts  ;  but 
nothing  severe,  or  inclement,  as  yet. 

Eleventh-month  4,  1850. — Second-day. — The  day  of  our  annual 


78 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


election  for  directors,  president,  cashier,  teller,  etc.,  in  our  branch 
bank.  The  concerns  were  managed  harmoniously,  there  being  no 
dissentiou  manifested.  I  am  continued  cashier,  and  my  son,  Charles, 
teller  and  clerk.  We  have  the  unanimous  support  of  the  direct- 
ors ;  but  our  situations  are  laborious.  It  is  very  pleasant,  however, 
to  be  favored  to  get  along,  comfortably,  with  our  directors  and 
others  interested  in  the  management  of  interested  concerns. 

My  dear  wife  and  her  company  returned  last  evening  from  Salem. 

9th. — We  have  had  a  very  busy  week  in  our  office. 

13th. — The  State  convention  for  the  amendment  of  the  constitu- 
tion, is  now  sitting  at  Indianapolis  ;  and  we  hear,  that  among  other 
proceedings,  it  has  been  proposed  to  adopt  a  section  which  shall  ex- 
clude people  of  color  from  coming  into  the  State,  and  induce  those 
who  are  now  here  to  leave  the  State.  This  proposition  has  given 
'  80  much  uneasiness  to  some  Friends,  that  it  has  been  thought  right 
to  call  a  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  to  consider  the  subject. 

16th — The  weather,  for  some  time  past,  has  been  very  fine  and 
dry,  and  moderate  for  the  season.  The  dry  weather  has  continued 
80  long  that  many  wells  have  failed.  Excellent  general  health  pre- 
Tails. 


1850.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


79 


CHAPTER  IV. 

State  Constitution — Tract  on  Amusements — Visit  to  Easteru  Citiks — 
Bequest  op  Josiah  White. 

Eleventh-month  17. — I  do  not  forget,  to-day,  I  am  fifty-two  year.s 
old.  It  is  a  very  solemn  tbing  to  consider  how  time  and  the  period 
allotted  to  us  in  this  state  of  existence,  passes  away.  I  feel  that 
much  evil  is  near  me,  and  that  many  temptations  press  hard  upon 
me ;  and  such  is  my  weakness  and  frailty,  that  I  feel  discourge- 
ment,  at  times,  under  a  humiliating  sense  of  my  unworthinesa 
and  short  coming ;  yet  do  I  not,  entirely,  loose  my  faith  and 
hope ;  and  have  sometimes  to  rejoice  with  thanksgiving,  for  the 
evidences  of  divine  love  and  mercy  which  are  granted  to  me :  I 
mourn  that  I  am  not  more  thoroughly  consistent  and  perfect;  for 
why  should  I  not  follow  Him  in  whom  I  have  confidence,  and  un- 
der whom  I  have  enlisted,  and  who,  all  the  time,  gives  me  more 
than  I  could  pretend  to  deserve?  Let  my  faith  and  confidence  in- 
crease; and  may  best  help  be  afi"orded  me  to  be,  more  and  more 
at  all  times,  and  under  all  circumstances,  more  thoroughly  the 
Christian,  indeed.  O  the  blessedness  of  that  situation,  of  being  an 
Israelite,  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile  !  I  remember  that  the 
Apostle  Paul  was  tried  with  temptations,  for  he  said,  "When  I 
would  do  good,  then  evil  is  present  with  me."    May  I  not  relax. 

19th. — This  evening,  about  eight  o'clock,  a  most  sad  accident  oc- 
•curred.  My  dear  and  much  loved  friend,  Benjamin  Bond,  fell  into 
a  stairway,  leading  into  a  cellar,  and  received  a  mortal  wound  up- 
on his  head. 

20th. — My  dear  friend  in  great  agony,  yet  alive,  but  appears  to 
have  no  knowledge  and  does  not  speak.  An  awful  and  most  afflict- 
ing case. 

Preparative  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  A  time  of  acknow- 
ledged favor  together. 

22d. — At  about  ten,  this  morning,  our  dear  friend,  quietly,  de- 
parted this  life.  We  are  greatly  afFected  at  our  loss,  and  the  great 
loss  of  his  dear  family  and  connections. 


80 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1850. 


24th.— 7^^■/•s^(7«^.— The  burial  of  our  aforesaid  friend  ;  met  at 
the  house  at  half  past  nine.  A  very  large  number  of  sympathizing 
friends  and  acquaintances  attended.  A  solemn  meeting  afterward. 
[  visited  the  widow  and  family  in  the  evening — My  dear  friend 
L.  I.  was  with  me. 

25th — Second-day. — Meeting  for  Sufferings,  at  eleven.  About 
thirty  members  attended.  Tlie  subject  of  memorializing  the  consti- 
tutional convention,  now  in  session  at  Indianapolis,  was  considered. 
The  meeting  felt  low,  on  account  of  the  popularity  with  which  the 
proposition  to  exclude  the  people  of  color  from  the  state,  appears  to 
be  entertained  in  the  convention,  and,  probably  in  many  parts  of  the 
State  : — But  Friends  united  in  the  conclusion  that  it  would  be  right 
to  remonstrate  against  the  introduction  of  any  such  provision  into 
the  new  constitution  ;  and  a  committee  was  accordingly  appointed 
to  prepare  a  memorial,  who  reported  one  to  a  future  sitting,  which 
was  considered,  amended  and  adopted ;  and  a  committee  of  three 
Friends  was  appointed  to  attend  the  convention,  and  procure  the 
presentation  of  it. 

25th. — Third-day. — Acting  committee,  boarding  school.  The 
The  school  appears  to  be  doing  well.  There  are  now  over  seventy 
scholars  ;  the  sexes  about  equal  in  number. 

26th. — To  Monthly  Meeting — our  friend  Nathan  C.  Hoag,  pre- 
sent. We  had  much  business,  and  were  favored  to  get  through 
with  it  comfortably.  After  meeting  my  dear  wife  and  her  compan- 
ions, Rebecca  Clawson  and  Levi  Jessup,  set  off  toward  Elk,  to 
attend  to  her  concern  in  visiting  the  meeting  and  families  of  Friends 
belonging  thereto. 

We  are  blessed  with  a  very  fine  rain,  after  a  long  drought.  Ma- 
ny springs  and  wells  had  failed.  We  have  had  no  severe  winter 
weather  yet. 

Twelfth-month  2,  1850. — Blessed  with  health  and  the  comforts 
of  life,  for  which  I  desire  to  be  humbly  grateful ;  yet  for  some  days 
past,  I  have  had  sorrow  of  heart  comparable  to  the  gloom  of  dark 
and  cloudy  weather. 

Not  so  well  in  health,  yet  somewhat  brighter  and  less  clouds  in 
ray  mortal  part.  0,  how  shall  an  unworthy  creature,  such  as  I,  be 
acceptable  in  the  divine  sight?  yet  how  unspeakably  desirable  that 
I  may  be  an  object  of  mercy  and  acceptance.  I  am  convinced  that 
I  have  been  an  object  of  divine  love.   "Let  the  words  of  my  mouth 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


81 


and  the  meditations  of  my  heart"  become  more  and  more  accepta- 
ble in  thy  sight,  0  Lord  ! 

5th. — My  dear  wife  returned  this  evening.  It  seems  truly  grate- 
ful for  us  to  meet  again  ;  and  she  appears  easy  in  having  fulfilled 
her  religious  engagement. 

6th  and  7th. — Sixth  and  Seventh-days. — The  Quarterly  Meeting, 
and  other  meetings,  regularly  occurring  on  these  days.  We  ought 
to  bless  the  good  name  of  the  Lord,  that  we  are  favored  together  : 
unity  and  fellowship  throughout,  without  discord.  Our  friend  Na- 
than C.  Hoag,  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  business  from 
the  Yearly  Meeting  was  appropriately  acted  upon,  and  referred. 

In  the  branch  committee  on  education,  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed, of  which  I  am  one,  to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings,  etc. 

Twvlfth  month  lith. — To  Westgrove  Monthly  Meeting,  at  Fair- 
field ;  a  satisfactory  meeting.  The  other  members  of  the  commit- 
tee were  present. 

21st. — Our  little  grandson,  Charles  F.  son  of  William  and  Sarah 
Coffin,  has  been  very  ill  for  a  few  days  past,  with  erysipelas. 

22d. — To  Chester.    The  little  boy  is  dangerously  ill. 

25th. — Our  little  grandson  expired  this  morning,  soon  after  mid- 
night, aged  four  years.  His  loss  is  felt  very  keenly  by  his  parents, 
in  which  we  sympathize. 

Monthly  Meeting.  My  dear  wife  returned  her  minute.  A  good 
meeting. 

2Gth. — Fifth-day. — The  burial  of  our  grandson,  at  Whitewater, 
at  eleven  o'clock,  this  morning.  Met  at  our  son  William's,  at  nine, 
and  had  a  religious  sitting  together. 

Twelfth-month  29. — The  past  week  has  been  one  of  some  afflic- 
tion; may  we  improve. 

First-month  4,  1851. — Busily  engaged  about  my  office  the  past 
week.  We  are  greatly  blessed  as  to  health.  We  have  read  through 
the  entire  Pentateuch  in  our  morning  Scripture  readings  to  our 
family,  recently.  I  do  not  remember  that  I  have  ever  been  more 
deeply  impressed  with  the  excellency  of  the  Divine  law  given  to 
Moses;  also,  various  other  matters  relating  to  the  history  and  gov- 
ernment of  the  children  of  Israel  are  truly  wonderful.  How  much 
may  we  be  instructed  in  reading  this  inspired  account,  in  the  true 
belief  of  the  true  Jehovah  ;  in  the  certainty  of  his  Divine  Provi- 
dence and  government;  in  the  gracious  dealings  in  love  and  mercy 


82 


•LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


toward  those  who,  with  an  honest  heart,  endeavor  to  obey  his  com- 
mandments ;  and  in  the  certainty  and  awful  severity  of  the  visita- 
tions of  his  judgments  upon  the  rebellious  and  corrupt,  who  walk 
in  the  ways  of  sin,  and  regard  not  his  statutes. 

Of  evenings,  we  have  been  reading  the  Memoirs  of  Edward  Bar- 
rough,  in  the  14th  volume  of  the  "  Friends'  Library." 

I  have  been  graciously  blessed  many  times  this  week  with  the 
sweet  feeling  of  the  love  of  God  in  my  heart:  how  shall  I  be  suf- 
ficiently thankful  for  such  favors! 

12th. — Another  week  of  engagement  in  my  regular  business.  T 
have  met  with  perplexities,  in  which  I  have  not  maintained  the 
Christian  character  with  that  kind  of  di:inity  which  aflbrded  me  as 
much  satisfaction  at  the  time,  or  since,  as  I  could  desire.  I  muse 
still  strive  to  become  better  as  I  grow  older. 

Wrote  to  my  dear  friends  Benjamin  Seebohm  and  Benjamin  W. 
Ladd,  this  week,  in  reply  to  interesting  letters  recently  received 
from  them. 

A  valuable  donation  of  books  from  the  estate  of  Josiah  White, 
deceased,  and  another  Friend,  committed  to  the  care  of  our  book 
and  tract  committee,  is  received.  Fifty  Fox's  Journal ;  eighty 
Barclay's  Apology ;  fifty  Catechism  ;  fifty  Bevan's  View ;  fifty 
Dymond's  Essays;  about  the  same  number  of  Doolman's  Journal  ; 
fifty  Plain  Path,  and  fifty  Guide  to  True  Peace. 

18th. —  Busily  engaged  in  my  office  for  the  past  two  weeks.  A 
good  Providence  has  blessed  our  dear  family  with  a  good  share  of 
health  and  many  comforts,  for  which  we  ought  to  be  truly  grate- 
ful.   The  winter  has  been  mild  for  this  climate  generally,  so  far. 

26th. — I  have  attended  our  Monthly  Meeting,  and  Chester  and 
Milfoid  in  the  past  week,  with  the  committee  on  the  concerns  of 
education.  Our  labors  were  kindly  received,  and  we  may  hope 
may  not  be  destitute  of  some  good  effect. 

Our  dear  Miriam,  being  in  low  health,  my  dear  wife  went  to 
Cincinnati,  and  has  brought  her  home,  together  with  her  two  chil- 
dren. 

29th. — We  have  cold  weather.  Thermometer  eight  degrees  be- 
low zero.    Good  general  health  prevails. 

Seco/id -month  1. — Sarah  Ham  died  this  morning. 

2d. — Our  wedding  day.    We  do  not  forget  that  we  have  spent 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


83 


another  year  happily  together.  Truly  this  connection  is  one  of 
our  p-eatest  earthly  blessings. 

We  arc  reading  the  journal  of  Margaret  Woods  of  evenings. 

23d. — Three  weeks  have  passed  away  since  the  last  date  above, 
during  which  time  I  have  been  mostly  about  home,  pursuing  my 
daily  calling,  except  that  on  the  15th  I  went  to  Cincinnati  on  busi- 
ness, and  returned  home  on  the  18th.  The  weather,  this  month, 
has  been  a  good  deal  changeable;  some  days  pretty  cold  ;  many 
quite  mild;  and  a  good  deal  of  rain.  It  seems  a  great  blessing  to 
have  abundance  of  rain  after  a  long  time  in  which  it  has  not  been 
abundant. 

I  have  been  engaged,  with  the  assistance  of  several  Friends 
around,  in  republishing,  with  some  additions,  a  tract,  under  the 
following  newly  adopted  title:  "The  question,  why  shall  we  not 
go  to  parties  of  pleasure,  to  the  circus,  to  the  party,  to  the  ball,  or 
to  the  dance,  seriously  answered."  It  is  cause  of  sorrow  that  so 
many  persons  should  give  themselves  up  to  the  desires  of  the  light 
and  vain  mind,  as  to  fall  in  with,  and  practice  such  vain  amuse- 
ments as  going  to  dances,  balls,  etc.  We  may  hope  that  our  hum- 
ble effort,  in  the  circulation  of  this  little  tract,  may  have  some  good 
influence,  at  least  with  some  individuals,  into  whose  hands  it  may 
fall.  , 

Thhd-montli  1. — This  day  was  our  Quarterly  Meeting  held  at 
Milford.  The  meeting  was  held  in  quietness  and  to  comfort,  and 
there  not  being  so  much  business  as  we  sometimes  have,  it  closed 
early  in  the  afternoon. 

The  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  that  of  the  African  com- 
mittee, and  that  of  the  auxiliary  Bible  association  on  the  day  pre- 
ceding, and  that  of  the  education  cummiltee  in  the  morning  of  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  were  all  attended  with  lively  interest,  and  to 
some  satisfaction. 

The  past  winter  has,  upon  the  whole,  been  mild  and  rather  unu- 
sually pleasant  for  that  part  of  the  year,  and  evident  signs  of  the 
approach  of  spring  now  begin  to  appear. 

Fourlli-month  1. — The  month  just  gone  out  has  been  very  pleas- 
ant for  the  season,  and  we  have  enjoyed  many  blessings.  I  very 
frequently  fear  that  my  gratefulness  for  these  may  not  be  so  ardent 
as  it  should  be,  nor  so  much  the  companion  of  my  mind — yet, 
through  heavenly  kindness,  I  believe  I  am  favored  frequently  to 


84 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


feel  a  sense  of  the  bounties  we  enjoy.  But  I  also  very  frequently 
fear  that  my  spiritual  improvement  and  advancement  in  best  things, 
my  thorough  submission  to  the  kingdom  and  government  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  does  not  make  sufficient  progress ;  my  profes- 
sion before  men;  my  age,  and  my  happiness,  would  all  seem  to  call 
for  greater  devotedness  and  diligence. 

In  our  Scripture  readings  in  our  family  we  have  been  progressing 
through  the  life  of  Samuel,  and  Saul,  and  David. 

My  friend  James  Backhouse  has  sent  me  a  copy  of  his  book  on 
his  Australian  visit;  which  I  am  reading  with  interest;  he  has  also 
sent  me  his  other  book,  on  his  visit  to  South  Africa  and  the  Mau- 
ritius, which  I  hope  to  read. 

On  the  29th  ultimo  our  friends  Johnson  Brewer  and  Eliza,  his 
wife,  from  Canada,  both  Ministers,  came  to  my  house,  and  on  the 
next  day  attended  our  meeting,  and  were  engaged  in  acceptable 
service. 

B.  C.  Hobb's  school  is  closed  at  our  meeting-house,  and  he  is 
about  leaving  for  the  agricultural  school  in  our  Western  Quarterly 
Meeting. 

13th. — Our  First-day  Scriptural  school  was  opened  this  morning 
to  satisfaction.  The  morning  was  unpleasant  on  account  of  rain  ; 
but  ue  had  an  attendance  of  twenty-eight  young  persons  and  chil- 
dren. 

It  has  been  believed  by  me  that  a  difference  of  sentiment  on  some 
important  matters,  atfecting  the  unity  and  religious  fellowship,  has 
existed  among  some  of  the  members  of  our  meeting,  for  a  consider- 
able time  past;  and  apprehending  that  the  time  had  come  for  me 
to  endeavor  to  speak  to  several  collectively  on  the  subject,  I  gave 
up,  with  a  deeply  exercised  mind,  to  invite  about  twelve  to  stop 
with  me  after  meeting,  to  whom  I  made  known  my  concern.  They 
heard  me  with  a  good  degree  of  patience,  and  after  an  interview  of 
nearly  two  hours,  we  parted  affectionately.  My  mind  is  deeply 
concerned  that  the  movement  may  be  overruled  for  good,  and  for 
the  honor  of  the  good  cause  of  truth  and  righteousness. 

20th. — Busily  engaged,  as  usual,  in  my  domestic  concerns,  dur- 
ing the  past  week.  My  son  William  having  become  settled  at 
Chester,  the  care  of  the  farm  west  of  Richmond  has  returned  upon 
me,  which  adds  to  the  labors  I  had  before  from  my  office. 

Over  forty  scholars  at  the  First-day  school  this  morning. 


1851.]  LIFE  OF  BLIJAH  COFFIN.  85 

23d. — Monthly  Meeting.  Our  dear  friend  Nathan  C.  Iloag  wae 
acceptably  present. 

24th. — Having  given  up  to  endeavor  to  attend  the  meeting  at 
Baltimore,  on  the  5th  of  next  month,  of  the  committees  appointed 
by  the  Yearly  Meetings  of  New  York,  New  England,  Indiana, 
Baltimore,  and  North  Carolina,  to  confer  together  on  subjects 
relating  to  the  general  interests  of  Society,  I  parted  from  my  dear 
family,  and  set  out  in  the  stage-coach  for  Cincinnati,  on  my  way; 
our  daughter  Mary  bears  me  company,  and  is  to  go  with  me  as  far 
as  William  H.  Ladd's,  at  Richmond,  Ohio. 

We  reached  Cincinnati  in  the  evening,  and  enjoyed  a  pleasant 
visit  to  our  dear  Wm.  A.  and  M.  A.  Rambo. 

25th. — On  the  Ohio  River  at  eleven  o'clock,  aboard  the  steamer 
Hiberniu  No.  2,  bound  for  Pittsburg;  we  to  stop  at  Steubciiville. 
Weather  very  pleasant,  and  river  in  good  navigable  condition. 

27th. — Arrived  at  Steubcnville  at  nine  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  at 
William  H.  Ladd's  at  about  two  o'clock  P.  M.  We  were  mutually 
rejoiced  at  meeting. 

28th. — Visited  niy  dear  brother  Benjamin  W.  Ladd,  who  is  in 
very  feeble  health. 

30th. — W.  H.  Ladd  went  with  me  to  Steubenville;  and  about 
two  o'clock  p.  M.,  the  Clipper  No.  2  passed  up  toward  Pittsburg, 
upon  which  I  went,  and  was  well  pleased  to  find  there  my  dear 
friend  N.  C.  Hoag.    Reached  Pittsburg  about  midnight. 

Fifth-month  1. — Went  forward  to  Brownsville,  per  steamboat  up 
the  Monongahela.  This  is  a  very  interesting  steamboat  route. 
The  improvements  of  the  river  navigation,  the  scenery  of  the 
uneven  country  through  which  the  river  winds  its  way,  the  towns 
and  beautifully  cultivated  fields,  all  offer  objects  of  interest. 

2d. — I  left  N.  C.  Hoag  at  Brownsville  (we  having  been  kindly 
entertained  at  Dr.  Abraham  Stanley's),  and  proceeded  very  early, 
in  the  stage-coach,  across  the  mountains,  to  Cumberland,  at  which 
place  we  arrived  about  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  This  mountain  route  is 
also  very  interesting. 

3d. — By  railroad  from  Cumberland  to  Baltimore ;  arrived  about 
half-past  five  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  was  kindly  taken  in  by  our  dear 
friend  Hugh  Balderston ;  Joseph  Cox  having  overtaken  me  at 
Cumberland. 

4th. — First-day. — At  meeting  at  Baltimore,  before  and  after  noon. 


86 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


Several  oP  the  committee  were  in  attendance;  also  our  dear  friends, 
Benjamin  SeeLohtn  and  Robert  Lindsay,  from  England. 

5th. — The  committees  appointed  by  the  five  Yearly  .Meetings 
convened  together  at  Friends'  meeting-house,  in  Baltimore,  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.  The  occasion  was  felt  to  be  a  very  important  and 
solemn  one. 

(jth,  7th,  8th. — ^The  associated  committees  continued  to  hold 
sittings  of  conference  these  several  days.  The  deliberations  were 
conducted  in  great  harmony  of  sentiment  as  to  the  present  state  of 
Society;  and  a  report'to  the  five  Yearly  Meetings,  in  the  form  of  an 
address  to  Friends,  was  prepared  and  adopted  with  unity  of  feel- 
ing; and  the  conference  came  to  a  close,  and  the  members  thereof 
separated  in  brotherly  aifcction. 

9th. — I  went  forward,  in  company  with  many  other  Friends, 
toward  Philadelphia,  and  arrived  in  that  city  in  the  afternoon, 
about  three  o'clock.  I  was  kindly  entertained,  during  my  stay  in 
the  city,  by  our  dear  friend  Thomas  Kimber. 

10th. — Attended  to  several  matters  of  business,  and  about  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.  visited  the  Girard  College.  This  is  truly  a  remark- 
able institution ;  remarkable  not  only  for  its  magnificence  and  great 
cost  in  money,  but,  it  seems  to  me,  for  the  excellence  in  which  the 
main  building  and  all  the  auxiliary  buildings  and  appurtenances 
generally  are  wrought  up.  I  was  accompanied  to  the  college  by 
Thomas  Kimber,  Elizabeth  Hopkins,  and  one  of  T.  Kimber's 
daughters;  and  we  had  notes  of  introduction  to  Jane  Mitchell, 
the  matron  of  the  college,  who  received  us  politely,  and  very 
kindly  conducted  us  to  many  parts  of  the  institution. 

It  was  gratifying  to  see  about  three  hundred  orphan  boys  in 
these  diiFerent  schools;  nearly  of  one  size;  apparently  near  the 
same  age;  with  dress  of  the  same  character,  and  all  in  good  order; 
with  opportunities  so  munificent  for  acquiring  a  thorough  educa- 
tion ;  and  provided  for  with  all  the  necessary  comforts  at  the 
expense  of  the  institution.  I  visited  several  places  in  the  after- 
noon, and  drank  tea  with  Samuel  Bettle,  jr.,  and  family;  his  father 
and  some  other  Friends  being  present.  I  had  an  opportunity, 
after  tea,  of  explaining  to  S.  Bettle,  sr.  and  jr.,  our  movements  and 
concern  at  home,  in  reg^ard  to  libraries,  books,  and  tracts,  in 
the  limits  of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting,  which  seemed  to  be  well 
received. 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  BLIJAU  COFFIN. 


87 


11th. — First-day. — Made  a  very  sweet  and  satisfactory  visit  this 
morning,  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  to  my  dear  friend  Thomas  Evans, 
of  Philadelphia.  Being  himself  in  a  low  state  of  health,  he  and 
Catharine,  his  wife,  expect  very  soon  to  embark  for  Europe,  for 
the  benefit  of  a  sea  voyage. 

To  meeting  at  Twelfth  street  at  ten  o'clock  A.  m.  Our  friends, 
Eliza  Gurney  and  Hannah  Adams,  were  engaged  in  the  ministry. 

Dined  at  David  Scully's,  and  went  with  him  to  Arch  street 
meeting  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  The  congregation  did  appear  to  me 
to  be  thin;  and  my  feelings  were  somewhat  saddened  by  the  re- 
flection that  a  considerable  decline  has  taken  place  in  the  number 
of  Friends  belonging  to  and  attending  this  meeting,  in  the  last 
twenty  years. 

Passed  the  evening  agreeably  with  several  Friends,  at  Charles 
Yarnall's. 

12th. — My  friend  Thomas  Evans,  of  Waynesville,  Ohio,  having 
also  remained  in  Philadelphia,  we  left  the  house  of  our  kind  friend 
Thomas  Kimber  early,  in  the  railroad,  train,  toward  New  York. 
Called  at  Burlington,  and  remained  three  hours  or  more,  until  the 
next  train,  in  which  time  we  visited  our  aged  and  honored  friends, 
Stephen  Grellet  and  wife,  and  Richard  Mott  and  Abigail,  his  wife ; 
also  William  J.  Allinson  and  family.    His  aunts,  Mary,  Sybil  and 

 .  now  constitute  a  part  of  his  family.    It  was  interesting 

and  instructive  to  meet  with  these  dear  friends  once  more,  and 
renew  affectionate  acquaintance. 

We  proceeded  before  eleven  o'clock,  and  arrived  in  New  York 
City  about  three  o'clock  p.  M.  I  hastened  around,  attending  to 
some  business ;  then  called  at  Wm.  F.  Mott's,  and  made  a  short 
visit;  then  proceeded  to  the  steamer  Isaac  Newton,  upon  North 
River,  which  was  to  leave  at  six  o'clock  for  Albany.  Being  very 
weary,  I  went  to  bed  soon  after  becoming  settled  upon  the  boat. 
The  night  was  very  fine,  and  I  could  have  desired,  had  my  physical 
strength  been  suflacient,  to  have  been  up  and  enjoyed  the  beautiful 
scenery  upon  the  river. 

13th. — We  arrived  at  Albany  about  three  o'clock  a.  m.  Took 
breakfast  at  a  hotel,  and  were  off  in  the  railroad  cars  about 
seven  o'clock  for  Buffalo,  which  last  city  we  reached  about  ten 
o'clock  P.  M. 

14fch. — We  took  the  railroad  cars,  at  nine  o'clock  A.  m.,  for  the 


88 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


Falls  of  Niagara,  and  arrived  there  at  about  half-past  ten  o'clock. 
We  remained  until  six  o'clock  p.  m.,  during  which  time  we  viewed 
this  great  and  interesting  wonder  of  the  creation  from  various 
places,  on  both  sides  of  the  river.  It  seems  to  me  that  no  one  of 
susceptible  mind  could  view  this  great  work  without  feelings  of 
awe  and  delight,  nor  without  having  the  mind  turned  to  acknowl- 
edge and  adore  the  great  Creator  of  all.  Language  would  fail  me 
to  represent  to  the  mind  of  another  a  description,  to  the  life,  of 
this  wonderful  scene,  which,  it  appears  to  me,  no  one  can  behold 
without  being  forcibly  impressed  with  its  magnitude,  awfulness, 
sublimity,  and  beauty.  We  passed  down  the  Canada  shore  to  the 
wire  suspension  bridge,  which  we  crossed,  and  returned  upon  the 
American  side.  We  were  told  that  the  bridge  is  eight  hundred 
feet  long,  from  bank  to  bank  ;  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  from  the 
surface  of  the  river;  and  that  the  river  is  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  deep.  The  American  Falls  are  said  to  be  one  hundred  and 
seventy  feet;  the  Horse-shoe  or  Canada  Falls,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-eight  feet.  The  river  is  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  wide 
above  the  Falls,  and  descends  over  rocks  with  a  fall  of  sixty  feet 
in  a  short  distance  above,  before  reaching  the  summit  of  the  great 
Falls.  It  seemed  hard  for  us  to  leave  the  region  of  this  grand 
scene;  and  we  returned  (the  cars  not  being  quite  ready  to  depart) 
to  take  another  and  a  last  view. 

We  were  back  in  Buffalo  about  dark,  and  soon  went  to  our  berths 
on  the  Saratoga.  The  boat  did  not  leave  until  about  eleven  o'clock 
p.  M.  The  night  was  extremely  beautiful ;  the  moon  was  full ;  the 
beautiful  lake  was  smooth  as  could  be  wished;  and  the  air  was  fresh 
and  invigorating,  yet  not  chilling. 

15th. — Our  boat  touched  at  Cleveland  about  two  o'clock  p.  m., 
and  soon  proceeded.  It  was  nearly  dark  when  we  landed  at  San- 
dusky. Went  upon  the  cars  at  once,  and  proceeded  by  the  railroad 
toward  Springfield. 

16th. — We  were  at  Springfield  about  six  o'clock  a.  m.,  where  I 
parted  with  my  dear  friend  Thomas  Evans  ;  I  went  forward  to  Day- 
ton by  railroad,  and  took  the  coach  for  home  at  that  place  about 
nine  o'clock  A.  M.;  and  was  favored  to  reach  my  dear  home,  and  to 
embrace  my  dear  family,  in  good  health,  about  four  o'clock  p.  m. 

My  hearty  gratitude  to  the  good  Giver  of  all  good  things,  is  cer- 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


89 


tainly  due  for  tlie  many  favors  which,  in  mercy,  have  attended  me 
beginning  to  the  end  of  this  journey. 

Sixth-month  4. — General  good  .health  prevails.  We  have  de- 
lightful seasonable  weather,  and  our  country  looks  truly  beautiful. 

On  the  29th  ult.,  Enos  P.  Baldwin  and  Martha  Bond  were  joined 
in, marriage  at  a  meeting  appointed  for  the  purpose.  To-day,  at 
our  regular  meeting,  Eli  Stubbs  and  Anna  F.  Moffit,  were  married. 
Both  marriages  were  conducted  in  good  order  and  solemnity,  in 
which  our  beautiful  regulations  were  very  well  carried  out.  Many 
Friends  from  other  parts  were  present  with  us  at  meeting  to-day. 

In  the  afternoon,  the  large  committee  appointed  by  our  last 
Yearly  Meeting,  on  the  subject  of  sitting  up  a  new  Yearly  Meeting, 
convened;  and  after  much  deliberation,  and  considerable  discus- 
sion, arrived  at  the  united  conclusion,  that  the  time  has  not  yet 
come  for  taking  such  a  step.  This  conclusion  is  to  be  reported 
to  our  next  Yearly  Mcctinir. 

5th. — Meeting  for  Sufferings.  Our  friend,  Josiah  White  of 
Philadelphia,  in  his  last  will,  made  the  munificent  bequest  of 
forty  thousand  dollars,  for  the  establishment,  within  the  limits 
of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting,  of  two  schools,  for  the  education  of 
poor  children,  white  and  colored,  in  which  their  Christian  training 
in  the  principles  and  practice  of  religion  as  professed  by  Friends, 
is  particularly  to  be  regarded.  The  case  was  opened  in  the  Meet- 
ing for  Sufferings  for  consideration,  as  to  whether  our  Yearly  Meeting 
would  be  free  to  accept  the  trust  confided  to  it  in  the  will.  The 
case  was  fully  considered  by  the  meeting,  and  then  referred  to  a 
committee;  and  at  the  next  sitting,  the  committee  reporting  favor- 
ably, tlie  meeting  came  to  the  united  judgment  to  recommend  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting  to  accept  the  trust  conveyed  by  the  will,  and 
endeavor  to  carry  it  out  according  to  the  tenor  of  the  will.  It  was 
foreseen  that  great  labor  and  responsibility  would  attend  the  under- 
taking; but  Friends  felt  as  if  they  would  not  be  excused  in  reject- 
ing a  trust,  so  evidently  intended  for  good  to  our  fellovv-men,  and 
to  extend  and  spread  the  principles  and  practice  of  Christianity. 

Gtli. — General  boarding-school  committee  at  eight  o'clock  a.  M. 
Ministers  and  Elders  Quarteiiy  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. 
(larger  than  usual  on  account  of  so  many  of  our  friends  from 
other  parts,  being  acceptably  with  us.) — African  committee  two 
o'clock  p.  M. — and  auxiliary  Bible  association  at  three  o'clock 
7 


90 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


P.  M.  So  the  (lay  was  much  occupied — and  preserving  help  was 
experienced. 

7th. — Quarterly  Meeting.  A  large  and  interesting  meeting. 
Our  friend,  Daniel  Williams,  returned  his  certificate.  The  Educa- 
tion Meeting  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  was  also  an  interesting  meeting. 

10th.— My  dear  wife,  Mary  Roberts  and  Levi  Jessup,  set  out 
together  in  one  company,  a  part  of  a  committee  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  to  visit  the  Northern  Quarterly  Meeting,  and  Honey  Creek 
Monthly  Meeting,  in  reference  to  the  setting  up  of  a  new  Quarterly 
Meeting,  to  be  called  Concord;  they  having  been  to  the  Western 
Quarterly  Meeting  and  the  Monthly  Meetings  therein  which  have 
part  in  the  request,  a  few  weeks  past. 

Our  hearts  have  been  made  sad  by  hearing  of  the  decease  of  our 
dear  friend  and  brother,  Benjamin  W.  Ladd,  of  Smithfield,  Ohio, 
who  departed  this  life  at  his  own  residence  on  the  morning  of 
Seventh-day,  the  31st  of  the  Fifth-month,  1851.  We  have  es- 
teemed him  a  citizen  of  great  integrity  and  virtue ;  as  a  Cliristian 
in  faith  and  practice  ;  and  a  most  valuable  standard  bearer  in  the 
church.  His  removal  from  works  to  rewards  in  another  world, 
is  felt  by  many,  who  are  left  behind,  to  be  a  great  public  loss. 
But  the  Lord  gave,  and  when  he  takes  away,  it  becomes  all  to  ac- 
knowledge the  wisdom  of  his  dit^pensations — and  through  all  to 
bless  his  Name. 

13th. — Charles  and  Rhoda  made  a  visit  to  Cincinnati  this  week. 
My  dear  wife  being  absent,  and  Charles  and  Mary  also  away,  I  have 
felt  a  good  deal  lonely.  Our  favorite  dog,  that  for  several  years 
has  been  so  useful,  and  has  shown  toward  me  an  attachment  so 
faithful  and  strong,  was  dead  under  one  of  our  trees  this  morning. 
This,  esteemed  however  small,  may  serve  to  impress  upon  one's 
mind,  renewedly  and  forcibly,  that  the  things  here  are  transitory,  and 
that  our  outward  gifts,  however^'inuch  esteemed,  are  not  to  remain 
with  us  forever.  The  coming  close  of  our  own  earthly  pilgrimage 
may  be  hinted  to  us  by  the  changes  which  take  place  around  us. 

The  above  entry  brings  to  view  a  trait  of  character  for 
which  Elijah  Coffin  was  well  known — his  kindness  to  the 
brute  creation  and  love  for  animals.  On  the  occasion  al- 
luded to,  bis  children  well  recollect  seeing  him  shed  tears 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAn  COFFIN. 


91 


at  the  loss  of  his  foithful  and  "  favorite  dog."  It  was 
equally  shown  in  his  care  for  a  horse  or  cow  which  he 
owned.  lie  rarely  sold  either.  A  horse  which  he  had 
owned  for  many  years,  and  which  was  too  old  to  be  of  much 
value,  he  requested,  at  his  death,  to  be  provided  with  a 
home  where  he  would  be  cared  for  and  not  abused.  Elijah 
Coffin  was  a  striking  exemplification  of  the  proverb,  "a 
righteous  man  regardeth  the  life  of  his  beast," 

15tli. — Our  First-day  morning  Scripture  school,  at  Whitewater, 
keeps  up  well  this  year.    We  frequently  have  more  than  forty. 

21st. — My  regular  business  has  had  my  attention  this  week. 
The  weather  has  been  delightfully  seasonable ;  the  crops  generally 
look  well.    Air  cool  and  bracing  much  of  the  time. 

23d. — My  dear  wife  and  her  company  returned  home  this  even- 
ing. We  were  truly  glad  to  meet.  General  good  health  prevails 
now  in  our  town  and  neighborhood ;  yet  some  cases  of  dysentery 
have  occurred. 

25th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Our  friend  Benjamin  Fulghum  re- 
ceived the  concurrence  of  his  friends  in  a  concern  to  perform  a  re- 
ligious visit  to  Center,  Fairfield,  and  part  of  Miami  Quarterly 
Meetings. 

28th. — Our  daughter  Mary  arrived  home  from  her  visit  to  her 
sister  Caroline  and  others  in  Ohio.  We  were  well  pleased  to  see 
her.  She  appears  to  be  in  quite  as  good  or  better  health,  as  when 
she  left  home. 

Stventh-month  2. — Our  daughter  Miriam  came  from  Cincinnati 
to  remain  with  us  awhile,  hoping  for  improvement  in  her  feeble 
state  of  health. 

5th. — Wheat  harvest  has  been  on  hand  this  week.  The  crops 
are  reckoned  good,  and  the  grain  very  fine. 

12th. — Much  rain  this  week.  Harvest  has  been  continued. 
Good  health  prevails  generally — yet  there  is  complaint  of  diseases 
of  the  bowels. 

13th. — Thermometer  ninty-four  degrees  this  afternoon. 

We  have  heard  of  the  decease,  on  the  of  last  month,  of  our 

dear  aged  friend  and  relation,  Elizabeth  Coggeshall,  of  New  York 
city.    She  has  been  a  gifted  and  favored  Minister  of  the  gospel, 


I 


92 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1851. 


and  has  traveled  much  for  the  furtherance  thereof.  Our  friend 
Benjamin  Seebohm,  (who  was  first  awaked  to  greater  religions 
thoughtfuluess  and  dedication  through  her  instrumentality.)  and  his 
companion,  Robert  Lindsay,  attended  the  funeral. 

2-4th. — Wheat  harvest  is  now  over,  and  the  crop  is  considered 
good.  The  crops  of  other  grains,  and  the  grasses,  are  also  good. 
The  season  has  been  delightful,  fully  seasonable  and  prosperous, 
and  a  very  good  share  of  health  prevails.  There  is  abundant 
cause  of  reverent  thankfulness  for  these  favors. 

Eleventh-month  9,  1851 — My  last  date  was  Seventh-month  24, 
1851  :  after  the  close  of  harvest.  I  may  now  acknowledge,  and 
wish  to  do  so,  with  reverent  gratitude,  to  our  gracious  Benefactor, 
that  in  our  little  family,  now  consisting  of  myself,  and  wife,  and 
our  daughters,  Mary  and  Ilannah  Amelia,  we  have  been  blessed 
with  a  good  share  of  excellent  health.  A  good  Providence  has  also 
favored  the  inhabitants,  generally,  in  this  neighborhood,  with 
health  this  year,  with  as  few  exceptions  as  is  usual;  and  a  remark- 
ably pleasant  and  productive  season  ;  I  can  not  remember  ever  to 
have  seen  one  more  so  in  my  life. 

The  village  of  Newport  and  its  neighborhood  were  vii-ited 
with  cholera,  in  the  Eighth-month,  which  carried  away  several  to 
their  future  state.  I  note  the  decease,  with  that  disease,  on  the 
I9th  of  that  month,  of  Rachel  Welch,  formerly  Williams,  and  wi- 
dow of  Wm.  Williams,  a  Minister  among  Friends. 

Since  last  date,  my  time  has  been  closely,  and  many  times,  labor- 
iously, taken  up  in  performing  the  duties  of  my  office,  except  when 
absent  from  it  on  account  of  domestic  or  religious  duties. 

Our  late  Yearly  Meeting  was  a  very  important  and  interesting  one. 
An  unusual  number  of  weighty  subjects  claimed  attention,  and  were 
disposed  of  in  much  harmony.  A  general  feeling  of  brotherly  good 
will  prevailed  :  a  gift  and  a  favor,  demanding  our  consideration  and 
heartfelt  gratitude.  Our  dear  friend  Cordelia  Bayes,  from  England, 
attended ;  and  made  her  home  at  our  house. 

Our  boarding-school  was  opened  with  favorable  prospects,  on  the 
week  after  Yearly  Meeting.  Ashley  Johnson  and  Lydia,  his  wife, 
have  taken  the  office  of  superintendents  this  year.  The  number  of 
scholars  is  now  over  ninety,  quite  as  many,  probably  more,  than  the 
buildings,  in  their  present  unfinished  condition,  will  accommodate 
to  that  comfort  and  advantage  which  may  be  desired. 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


93 


The  committee  appointed  by  our  late  Yearly  Meeting,  to  visit  the 
Quarterly  Meetings,  etc.  (of  which  I  am  one)  have  engaged  in  the 
service — but  I  have  not  yet  joined  them  therein.  Fairfield  and  Cen- 
ter have  been  attended  and  Miami,  yesterday;  in  the  attendance 
of  which,  my  dear  wife  is  now  absent  from  home. 

10th. — Considerable  snow  has  fallen  during  yesterday  and  last 
night  ;  the  weather  is,  otherwise,  moderate. 

Our  Monthly  Meeting  school,  at  Whitewater,  is  opened  to-day 
for  the  winter  session,  with  favorable  prospects  :  John  Macy,  prin- 
cipal teacher.    About  forty  in  attendance. 


94 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN- 


[1851- 


CHAPTER  V. 

Visits  to  Quarterly  Meetings. — Tract  on  the  Mauriagb  State.— Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting. — American  Bible  Society. — Visit  to  Yearly  Meeting  at 
Philadelphia. — Yellow  Fever  in  New  Orleans. — London  Yearly  Meet- 
ing Address  on  Slavery. 

My  reflections  this  day  are  of  a  solemn  cTiaracter.  I  am  now  fifty- 
three  years  old.  Year  after  year  glides,  rapidly,  away  ;  and  it  is  a 
levy  serious  thought  that  each  one,  nearer,  to  the  end  of  my  journ- 
ney  in  this  world.  Eternity  ! — what  a  solem  n  thought  1  "I  can  not 
go  where  universal  Love  smiles  not  around."  Yet  I  fear  that  I  am 
not  deep  enough,  not  sufiBciently  and  thoroughly  practical  as  a  Chris- 
tian; too  superficial;  not  possessed  of  enough  of  that  enduring  faith, 
that  certain  confidence  which  I  can  desire,  assuredly,  to  be  with  me 
when  the  departing  hour  shall  come.  I  acknowledge  that  I  have 
hope  in  the  Divine  mercy ;  and  I  am,  sometimes,  encouraged  by  an 
assurance  of  having,  in  my  heart,  the  love  of  the  brethren.  0  may 
I  grow  deeper  in  religious  experience  ;  may  my  faith  and  thorough 
obedience  be  increased. 

21st,  22d. — These  days  we  were  at  New  Garden,  attending  their 
Quarterly  Meeting.  Several  other  members  of  our  Yearly  Meeting',s 
committee  were  in  attendance.  We  were  favored  with  a  good  meet- 
ing. 

Twelfth-month  11,  12,  13. — At  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meetings 
held  at  Walnut  Ridge.  It  was  agreeable  to  meet  with  my  dear 
friends  and  relations,  and  receive  their  kind  attention  and  regard  ; 
but  my  mind  was  in  a  low,  discouraged  state  most  of  the  time.  I 
was  favored  with  some  softness  on  Seventh-day,  in  which  I  could 
weep  pretty  profusely,  which  seemed  to  afford  me  some  relief  In 
the  midst  of  my  distress,  it  would  have  been  difficult  for  me  to  tell 
just  what  caused  it;  yet  I  believed  it  was  owing  to  the  withdrawal, 
for  a  season,  of  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Spirit  from  me,  on 
account  of  my  not  living  in  more  faithful  and  thorough  obedience;, 
more  completely  under  the  kingdom  and  government  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Chri&t,  and  giving  evidence  thereof,  by  my  conduct,  to  all 


1851.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


95 


those  about  me;  or  for  the  purpose  of  showing  mc,  in  degree, 
what  I  should  be  if  left  to  myself,  without  the  gracious  presence 
and  help  of  the  good  Spirit  of  God  in  my  heart,  to  enlighten,  con- 
sole and  encourage  me,  and  to  help  me  against  temptations.  I 
much  wished  to  be  at  home,  for  which  there  was  no  opportunity; 
and  yet  I  had  no  confidence  that  I  should  feel  any  better,  if  as 
well,  in  case  it  could  be  so;  therefore,  if  opportunity  had  offered, 
I  should  probably  have  been  afraid  to  accept  it.  What  lost  and 
miserable  intelligences  indeed  should  we  be  without  the  Holy 
Spirit,  the  gift  of  Divine  Grace !  That  we  receive  our  light  and 
consolation  therefrom  spiritually,  I  can  have  no  doubt;  and  a 
friend  of  much  experience  has  said,  in  substance  (very  truly,  I  may 
believe),  that  it  is  by  the  same  good  Spirit  that  our  sins  are  dis- 
covered to  us,  and  our  dark  and  lost  condition,  as  in  the  natural 
unregenerate  state,  manifested.  Neither  can  there  be  any  doubt 
that  our  ability  to  pray  acceptably  and  relievingly  comes  by  the 
same  precious  gift ;  also  our  ability  to  come  to  true  repentance, 
and  to  come  unto  God,  and  walk  in  his  light  and  truth.  Then  how 
thankful  .should  we  be,  how  should  our  hearts  expand  with  grati- 
tude and  praise  to  the  Lord  Almighty,  who,  in  his  great  love  and 
mercy,  has  given  us  this  unspeakable  gift!  May  I  never  cease  to 
adore  that  great  goodness  which  has  thus  mercifully  visited  our 
fallen  race  ! 

In  going  out,  we  stopped  to  dine  with  my  brother  Paul  and  wife, 
who  received  us  very  kindly.  They  both  show  the  strong  marks 
of  approaching  age,  and  that  their  earthly  pilgrimage  is  drawing 
toward  a  close.  Also  staid  a  night  with  our  brother  and  sister 
Newby,  at  Knightstown.  Returning,  we  turned  in  and  passed  a 
night  very  agreeably  with  our  dear  friends  Joseph  and  Rebecca 
Griffin. 

The  weather  has  been  very  wintry  for  a  few  days  past. 

16th. — Thermometer  fifteen  degrees  below  zero  this  morning. 
The  mercury  was  not  observed  to  rise  above  zero  during  the  day. 

17th. — Another  severe  day.  Mercury  fifteen  degrees  and  more 
below  zei'o  this  morning. 

20th. — The  weather  has  been  very  cold  during  this  week. 

27th. —  Another  wintry  week.  Very  busily  engaged  in  my 
office.  We  have  commenced  the  reading  of  evenings,  in  our 
family,  James  Bowden's  History  of  Friends  in  America,  iu  which 


96 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1852. 


WO  are  much  interested.  The  dreadful  persecutions  of  our  early 
Friends  in  New  England  stirs  astonishuient  and  sympathy.  Their 
coustancy  to  their  faith  and  duty,  even  to  the  sacrilice  of  liLcrty 
and  life,  is  very  remarkable. 

I  am  also  reading,  at  intervals,  the  Life  and  Posthumous  Works 
of  Eichard  Claridge,  by  Joseph  Besse  ;  an  interesting  and  instruc- 
tive work. 

I  have  not  yet  got  through  with  James  Backhouse's  Narrative 
of  his  Visit  to  the  Mauritius  and  South  Africa.  I  have  found  his 
narrative  very  interesting  and  instructive  as  to  Van  Dieman's  Land 
and  Australia.  The  devotedness,  labor  and  patience  of  himself 
and  his  companion,  visiting  in  these  newly  settled  countries,  and 
frequently  to  a  wretched  and  very  degraded  class  of  our  fellow- 
men,  are  very  striking.  It  does  appear  to  me  that  nothing  short 
of  the  sustaining  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  would  have  given 
them  courage  and  endurance  to  go  through  what  they  did.  Their 
cause  was  the  name  and  the  love  of  Christ,  and  his  salvation. 

First-month  3,  1852. — Another  busy  week  in  my  office.  General 
good  health  prevails  in  this  neighborhood.  We  hear  of  consider- 
able damage  to  boats,  etc.,  by  the  ice,  on  its  being  broken  up  and 
floating  ofl"  in  the  Ohio;  that  river  having  been  firmly  frozen  over. 
Our  crops  the  past  season  were  very  good ;  and  the  prices  of  meats 
are  high ;  so  there  is  much  gain  this  year  to  our  people.  Pork,  at 
Cincinnati,  $4.87;  the  farmers  in  this  neighborhood  have  sold  at 
from  $4.00  to  $4.33  the  hundred  pounds.  The  arrival  and  visit  of 
the  distinguished  Hungarian,  Ijouis  Kossuth,  is  drawing  much 
attention  in  the  United  States  at  this  time. 

23d. — This  winter  has  been  remarkable  for  extreme  cold.  Since 
my  last  date  above,  the  weather  has  been  very  severe.  On  the 
19th,  the  mercury  fell  to  fifteen  degrees  below  zero  in  the  morning; 
ten  degrees  below  at  noon;  and  seventeen  degrees  below  at  nine 
o'clock  P.  M.  It  is  said  to  have  gone  down  below  twenty-four 
degrees  in  the  night.  Other  days  have  been  very  cold,  the  mercury 
being  frequently  below  zero.  Considerable  snow  on  the  ground. 
On  the  10th  instant,  the  children  of  our  dear  parents,  Benajah  and 
Elizabeth  Hiatt,  met  together  by  request  at  her  residence,  with  all 
their  husbands  and  wives,  except  two  of  the  wives ;  the  object  was 
to  consult  as  to  the  future  care  of  our  mother,  C.  Dickinson  and 
Hannah,  his  wife,  having  resigned  the  charge.    After  considerable 


1852.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


97 


consultation,  it  was  aareed  ibr  Movdccai  Iliatt  and  Rlioda,  his  wife, 
to  remove  to  the  premises,  and  become  lier  care-takers. 

31st. — This  week  lias  been  more  mild.  The  cold  gradually 
abated,  and  a  large  part  of  the  snow  has  gone  off.  We  hear  that 
the  ice  in  the  Ohio  gave  way  on  night  before  last.  That  river  has 
been  firmly  closed  with  ice  twice  this  winter.  Many  winters  have 
passed  without  its  being  closed  at  all. 

On  the  2Gth,  a  satisfactory  meeting  of  the  Central  Book  and 
Tract  Committee  was  held.  A  further  donation  of  tracts  from  the 
Philadelphia  association  was  recorded.  This  is  the  second;  twenty 
thousand  of  their  tracts  were  sent  us  before.  Now,  in  return  for 
fifty  dollars  sent  them  to  buy  tracts,  they  have  sent  us  twenty 
thousand  more.  We  have  at  this  time  adopted  several  tracts  for 
publication;  four  numbers  having  been  already  printed.  A  manu- 
script tract,  prepared  by  myself,  entitled  "  Brief  Remarks  on  the 
Marriage  State,"  was  read  and  adopted.  I  may  hope  it  may  do 
good. 

Our  boarding-school  and  our  Monthly  Meeting's  school  both 
appear  to  be  doing  well  this  winter.  The  number  of  scholars  in 
the  former,  at  the  beginning  of  the  present  session,  was  probably 
too  large  for  the  present  capacity  of  the  buildings.  The  number 
is  now  smaller,  yet  over  eighty.  Our  Monthly  Meeting's  school, 
under  the  care  of  John  M.  Macy,  as  principal  teacher,  is  in  good 
order,  and  progressing  to  good  satisfaction  ;  number,  about  lorty- 
five. 

Good  health  prevails  generally  in  this  town  and  neighborhood ; 
some  cases  of  influenza. 

Second-month  21. — I  went  to  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting 
to-day,  the  attendance  of  which  gave  me  satisfaction.  I  was  in- 
terested in  their  proceedings.  I  believe  there  are  some  honest 
religious  Friends  here.  After  making  visits  to  two  places  in  New- 
port, I  went  to  the  house  of  my  old  friend-  Samuel  Nixon,  and 
staid  the  night.  In  1818,  wc  traveled  together,  from  North  Caro- 
lina to  Indiana  and  back.  A  near  feeling  of  brotherly  friendship 
has  existed  between  us  ever  since.  This  is  my  first  acquaintance 
with  his  second  wife. 

29th. — We  liave  cold  weather  again,  yet  not  so  cold  as  awhile 
past.  The  general  health  has  been  very  good  during  this  month. 
I  have  been  closely  engaged  with  my  ordinary  vocation.  Often 


98 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1852. 


has  my  mind  been  turned  to  crave  Divine  assistance,  and  the  good 
help  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  to  keep  me  out  of  evil,  and  enable  me  to 
live  the  life  of  a  Christian.  Having  made  occasional  misses  for 
the  want  of  continued  watchful  obedience  and  devotedness,  much 
uneasiness  and  pain  have  been  the  result.  But  the  Divine  good- 
ness is  to  be  commemorated  for  that  I  have  been  blessed  with  so 
many  comforts,  both  spiritual  and  temporal. 

On  the  25th,  at  our  Monthly  Meeting,  the  proposals  of  marriage 
between  Eli  Johnson  and  our  daughter  Mary  were  read  and 
accepted. 

Thermometer  ten  degrees  this  morning;  snow  on  the  ground. 

We  have  finished  the  reading  of  James  Bowden"s  first  volume 
of  the  History  of  Friends  in  America,  an  interesting  work;  but 
what  an  account  of  suffering  for  religious  principles!  How  difiicult 
is  our  case  as  a  religious  Society  now.  We  are  still  progressing 
with  James  Backhouse's  Narrative  of  his  Visit,  accompanied  by 
George  W.  Walker,  to  South  Africa,  and  are  much  interested 
therein. 

Thinl-monlJi  24. — Monthly  Meeting.  A  favorable  report  being 
received,  Eli  Johnson  and  our  daughter  Mary  were  set  at  liberty  to 
proceed  in  marriage  together.  Our  friend  Sarah  M.  Hiatt  and  her 
companions  attended  meeting  acceptal)Iy  to-day. 

Since  ray  last  note,  on  the  25th  ultimo,  we  have  been  blessed 
with  a  good  share  of  liealth  in  our  family;  a  blessing  which  we 
ought  not  only  to  think  of,  but  to  be  heartily  grateful  for.  General 
good  health  has  prevailed  in  the  neighborliood.  I  have  been  very 
closely  engaged  in  my  daily  occupation.  The  work  of  printing 
tracts  has  gone  forward  ;  we  now  have  out  the  first  nine  numbers 
of  our  series,  one  thousand  copies  each. 

Our  past  winter  has  been  noted  for  remarkable  cold.  We  have 
not  only  had  the  thermometer  occasionally  at  a  low  degree,  but  the 
winter  in  general  has-been  unusually  cold.  The  thermometer  was 
one  day  (First-month  23)  ten  degrees  below  zero  at  twelve  o'clock 
M.,  a  greater  degree  of  cold,  I  believe,  than  I  ever  knew  at  any 
other  time  in  my  life,  at  mid-day.  It  is  thought  that  much  of  the 
fruit  is  destroyed  in  the  buds,  and  many  of  the  fruit  trees  are 
killed. 

31st. — Fourth-day. — This  has  been  a  day  of  deep  feeling  and 
intense  interest  with  all  our  family.    Our  dear  daughter  Mary  was 


1852.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


99 


joined  in  marriage  with  Eli  Johnson.  The  meeting  was  quiet, 
and  the  occasion  was  a  solemn  one.  The  3  0ung  people  spoke  very 
audibly  and  distinctly.  It  has  been  a  great  satisfiiction  to  me  that 
they  have  shown  a  disposition  to  act  advisedly  in  the  proceedings 
of  this  very  important  engagement.  A  considerable  companj'  of 
Friends  and  acquaintances  dined  with  us,  and  remained  during  the 
afternoon.  We  certainly  have  great  occasion  for  thankfulness  that 
tlie  proceedings  passed  with  so  little,  if  any,  cause  of  exception. 

Fuurlli-montli  1. — The  young  people  dined  at  Benjamin  Strattan's 
to-day;  to  tea  at  Charles'  in  the  evening. 

2d. — This  morning,  after  an  early  breakfast,  we  parted  with  our 
dear  children;  they  left  us  finally  for  their  new  home,  at  Corwiu, 
Ohio,  at  which  place  Eli  is  engaged  in  merchandise.  It  is  a  very 
tender  thing  thus  to  part  with  our  children.  Our  earnest  desires 
go  with  them,  that  they  may  do  well  in  every  respect. 

7th. — Charles  and  Rhoda  set  off  this  morning  to  Waynesville  ; 
so  I  am  left  very  thronged  with  the  cares  of  business. 

8th. — Received  satisfactory  account  of  the  settlement  of  our 
children,  Eli  and  Mary. 

12th. — The  summer  session  of  our  Jlonthly  Meeting's  school 
was  opened  to-day — John  M.  Macy,  teacher ;  also  a  school,  to 
which  we  afford  encouragement,  for  the  people  of  color,  at  their 
school-house. 

1-lth. — Charles  and  Rhoda  returned.  I  have  been  very  bu.sily 
engaged  during  their  absence,  but  had  got  along  very  well. 

IGth. — This  day  we  heard  of  the  decease  of  our  aunt  Rebecca 
Unthank,  wife  of  William  B.  Unthank,  of  Spiceland,  which  took 
place  yesterday.  They  were  married  at  the  same  meeting,  upon 
the  same  day,  that  we  were  married.  Being  near  relations  and 
intimate,  we  feel  the  event  sensibly. 

We  hear  this  week  of  the  decease  of  Dr.  George  Swain,  of  New 
Garden,  in  North  Carolina,  at  an  advanced  age.  Being  a  man 
highly  gifted  in  talents,  and  one  with  whom  we  were  well  acquainted 
in  early  life,  his  decease  forcibly  reminds  us  of  the  flight  of  years, 
and  the  passing  away  of  the  generations. 

18th. — First-day. — This  morning  at  nine  o'clock  the  First-day 
school  was  opened,  for  the  summer,  at  Whitewater.  About  forty 
in  attendance. 

22d. — Wc  left  home  this  morning,  Benjamin  Eulghum  with 


100 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1852. 


myself  and  my  wife,  for  Saiul  Crock,  to  attend  Blue  River  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  to  \>o  hold  there  this  week.  Staid  with  brother  and 
sister  Ncwby,  at  Kuightstown,  at  night. 

23d.- — Left  Knightstowa  early  in  the  ears.  We  were  kindly 
met  at  Elizabethtown  by  some  Friends,  who  took  us  to  meeting. 
The  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  was  .small,  but  in  a  good 
degree  comfortable. 

After  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  we  attended  the 
committee  on  the  concerns  of  the  people  of  color,  and  after  this 
the  Auxiliary  Bible  Meeting;  in  both  of  which  I  was  much  in- 
terested.   We  staid  at  night  with  our  kind  friend  Isaac  Cox. 

24th. — Education  Meeting  at  nine  o'clock  a.  m.  It  was  agree- 
able to  see  that  Friends  have  a  lively  interest  in  this  subject,  within 
this  Quarterly  Meeting.  At  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  assembled ;  it  was  not  large,  but  a  comfortable  feeling 
attended,  and  favor  evidently  was  experienced  during  the  labors  of 
the  committee  in  the  af'terpart  of  the  meeting. 

We  dined  at  William  Parker's,  and  returned  to  Isaac  Cox's  in 
the  evening. 

25tli. — -Fusf-ddij. — Had  a  favored  meeting;  many  who  are  not 
members  with  us  attended.  Our  friend  Benjamin  Fulghum,  feel- 
ing a  draft  on  his  mind  to  appoint  a  religious  meeting  at  Columbus, 
the  county  scat,  he  and  Isaac  Cox  proceeded  thither  in  the  after- 
noon to  attend  it.  We  understood  afterward  that  the  meeting  was 
satisfactory. 

20th. — Our  kind  friends  took  us  to  Elizabethtown,  from  whence 
wc  proceeded  by  railway  homeward.  Staid  at  Knightstown  that 
night,  and  were  favored  to  reach  home  comfortably  on  the  after- 
noon of  the  27th.  The  attendance  of  this  Quarterly  Meeting  has 
been  comforting  and  strengthening  to  us. 

Fifth-month  3. — Spring  appears  now  to  he  fairly  opened  ;  the 
grass  and  small  grains  are  coming  forward,  and  tlie  country  begins 
to  look  very  beautiful. 

5th. — We  hear,  by  telegraph,  that  our  dear  friend  Thomas 
Evans,  of  Miami,  is  dangerously  ill. 

12th. — Our  beloved  friend  died  yesterday  morning  about  nine 
o'clock. 

The  loss  of  this  our  dear  and  highly  valued  friend  will  be  deeply 
and  widely  felt.    He  was  a  man  of  talents  ;  highly  esteemed  in  the 


1852.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


101 


community  for  his  integrity  and  Christian  virtue  ;  he  was  a  tender, 
spirited,  religious  man;  a  Christian,  sound  in  doctrine,  and  in  faitli 
toward  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and,  therefore,  a  man  of  extensive 
nsefuiness  in  the  church.  But  he  was  prepared,  as  we  liear,  to  depart 
in  peace,  and  in  confidence  of  everlasting  rest,  through  the  merits 
and  mercies  of  the  Saviour;  and  tliis  is  a  great  consolation  to  us 
who  are  left  behind,  amidst  our  deep  affliction  for  the  loss  of  him. 
He  has  come  to  the  end  of  his  probation,  to  the  end  of  his  race ;  a 
point,  may  I  remember,  toward  which  I  am  hastening.  It  is  very 
comfortable  to  think  of  the  faith  and  love  of  our  departed  friend, 
and  his  hope  of  eternal  salvation  through  regeneration  and  the  gift 
of  God  in  Christ  our  Saviour. 

19th — Went  to  Cincinnati  on  business — my  wife  went  with  me 
on  a  visit  to  our  children  there — in  our  carriage  to  Hamilton,  thence 
by  railroad,  which  is  in  active  and  successful  operation  from  Cin- 
cinnati to  Dayton.  The  railway  from  Hamilton  to  Eaton  is  so  far 
advanced  toward  completion,  as  that  it  is  expected  the  cars  may  be 
run  to  Eaton  in  the  Sixth-month. 

The  Indiana  Central  Rnihvay,  and  the  railway  from  Eaton  to 
Richmond,  arc  both  in  progress  of  construction  which  seems  to 
promise  completion  at  no  very  distant  day. 

We  had  a  sharp  frost  last  night,  which  destroyed  part  of  the 
young  beans,  and  other  tender  vegetables,  but  we  hope  tiie  fruit  is 
not  destroyed.  Our  grape-vines  were  mostly  killed  in  the  winter 
by  the  great  severity  of  cold. 

22d. — Our  First-day  morning  Scripture  school  is  attended  by 
about  fifty  children  and  young  people  ;  an  interesting  collection. 

28th. — We  have  had  wet  seasonable  weather  for  a  few  days; 
vegetation  is  now  advancing  rapidly,  lleceived  a  visit  from  Ilichard 
Griffith,  a  young  Friend  who  resides  near  Winchester,  in  Virginia. 

Sixth-month  3. — Meeting  for  Sufferings.  We  felt  the  loss  of  our 
dear  friend  Thomas  Evans  from  the  Clerk's  table.  At  the  second 
setting,  our  friend  William  Talbert  was  appointed  to  fill  the  place. 
Business  was  conducted  harmoniously.  The  Address  on  Titles,  etc., 
by  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London,  was  directed  to  be  re  printed. 

4lh  and  5th. — Quarterly  and  other  Meetings  ;  conducted  har- 
moniously, and  to  satisfaction. 

21sf. — We  have  had  seasonable  weather  since  the  last  date,  and 
there  is  good  prospect  of  fine  crops.    A  pleasant  season.    A  good 


102 


LIFE  OF    ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1852. 


share  of  general  health  prevails.  Since  last  writing  I  have  been 
engaged  in  niy  ordinary  business  in  the  bank,  closely. 

21th. — We  set  off  (myself  and  wife),  in  our  own  carriage  toward 
Corwin,  Ohio,  with  a  prospect  of  endeavoring  to  attend  Alum  Creek 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Gilead.  Staid  at  night  with  our 
dear  children,  Eli  and  Mary,  at  Corwin. 

25th. — Proceeded  by  railroad,  our  friend  Thomas  Wells  in  com- 
pany, to  Cardington  ;  thence  a  friend  took  us  to  Abraham  Morris'. 

26th. — Two  o'clock  P.  meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at 
Gilead. 

27th. — The  Meeting  for  Worship  this  morning  was  pretty  large ; 
the  house  was  filled,  and  perhaps  a  few  outside.  Education  com- 
mittee at  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  after  that  the  African  -com- 
mittee. 

2Sth. — Eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  Bible  meeting.  The  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing convened  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. 

We  have  been  comforted  and  edified  by  uniting  with  our  beloved 
friends  in  the^^e  their  several  meetings;  it  has  been  an  interesting 
time  to  us.  It  is  satisfactory  to  believe  that  the  state  of  Society 
has  improved  in  these  limits  recently ;  and  we  may  hope  is  now  in 
an  improving  condition. 

We  returned  to  Corwin  on  the  29th,  and  home  on  the  30th. 

Sctcnth-moiith  22. — We  have  had  very  warm  weather  since  the 
last  date;  the  thermometer  has  frequently  been  about  ninety  de- 
grees, and  sometimes  above.  The  wheat  harvest  is  now  nearly 
over — the  crop  is  considered  very  good.  The  crops  of  oats  and 
grass  are  also  reckoned  to  be  a  fair  average.  The  general  health 
of  our  town  and  neighborhood  may  be  set  down  as  good.  Thus 
Divine  Providence  continues  to  bless  us. 

This  week  died  Richard  Williams,  aged  about  ninety-eight  years, 
a  person  whom  I  have  known  from  very  early  life;  he  and  my  father 
being  neighbors,  in  my  younger  years.  His  father,  Richard  Wil- 
liams, was  one  of  the  early  settlers  at  New  Garden,  in  North  Caro- 
lina. 

Though  blessed  with  pretty  good  health,  I  have  been  feeble  in 
body  for  some  time  past;  and  frequently  feel  my  weakness  much. 

23d. — Thermometer  ninety-three  degrees  at  one  o'clock  P.  M. 

Eighth-month  15. — The  weather  has  been  hot  and  dry  since  the 
last  date ;  so  it  appears  as  if  the  corn  crops  would  be  much  short- 


1852.]  LIFK  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  103 

oned  in  their  product.  The  grass  of  the  pastures  is  also  luuch 
lailed. 

20th. — We  have  had  most  refreshing  rains.  The  corn  fields  and 
pastures  ^vill  be  much  helped  by  the  rain.  Our  boarding-school 
had  been  suspended  by  direction  of  the  acting  committee.  Our 
school  at  Whitewater  meeting-house  is  doing  well. 

25th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Nathan  C.  Hoag  and  his  wife  arrived 
in  this  neighborliood  yesterday.  Their  certificate  of  removal  ad- 
dressed to  our  Monthly  Meeting,  was  read  and  received  to-day 
Jared  Patterson  and  Isaac  Jay  also  attended,  each  with  a  minute 
of  unity  from  his  Monthly  Meeting.  Their  labors  were  not  exten- 
sive, but  appropriate  and  edifying. 

Ninth-month  14. — Since  last  date  we  have  had  rains,  so  as  to 
make  it  seasonable,  and  advance  the  crops.  The  prospect  for  corn 
appears  pretty  fair.  We  hear  that  five  dollars  the  hundred  is  of- 
fered for  pork  this  fall.  Yesterday  morning,  the  13th,  was  our 
first  frost.  Very  little,  if  any,  injury  has  been  done  to  vegetation 
hereabout.  Attending  to  my  daily  business  as  usual,  A  good 
share  of  health  prevails  through  these  parts. 

I  have  frequently  felt  much  discouragement  on  account  of  the 
state  of  Society.  In  some  places  difl"erences  and  divisions  cause 
much  confusion  and  distress,  and  bring  the  name  of  our  profession 
low.  In  other  places,  even  where  a  good  degree  of  unity  prevails, 
as  to  all  outward  appearance,  I  believe  there  is  too  much  want  uf 
real  practical  heart  changing  Christianity.  It  has  sometimes  seemed 
to  me  as  if  there  might  be  a  general  break  up;  such  may  be  the 
case;  but  I  have  been  a  good  deal  comforted,  particularly  once 
in  the  night,  in  an  assurance  which  added  strength  to  my  faith, 
that  the  Lord  will  preserve,  and  keep  together  in  the  unity,  a  rem- 
nant devoted  to  his  ever  worthy  name  and  cause,  who  sincerely  be- 
lieve in  and  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  their  Prince  and  their 
Saviour;  my  mind  is  to  be  one  of  that  number,  I  pray  that  his  love 
and  mercy  may  help  me. 

Our  boarding-school  has  been  suspended  until  after  Yearly 
Meeting.  We  have  a  good  Monthly  Meeting's  school,  under  John 
M.  Macy. 

19th. — Our  First-day  morning  school  Vor  Scriptural  instruction 
was  discontinued,  at  the  close  of  this  morning's  session,  for  the 
■■season.    The  school  has  been  in  a  very  good  degree  satisfactory, 


104  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1852. 

ami  lias  been  atteiuled  by  an  avonige  of  sixty  or  more  this  season. 
A  library  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  little  books  was  procured 
in  the  early  part  of  the  season,  for  the  ui^c  of  the  young  people 
and  children  in  attendance,  and  have  been  much  read,  and,  as  we 
may  hope,  to  benefit. 

26th. — The  time  of  our  Yearly  Meeting  now  draws  near ;  a 
weighty  consideration  attends  our  feelings  in  view  of  its  being 
held. 

27lh. — Our  friends,  Eliza  P.  Gurney,  Mahlon  Day  and  Rebecca 
Collins,  arrived,  in  order  to  attend  tlie  Yearly  Meeting.  Our  dear 
ohildren,  William  II.  and  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  and  Miriam  A.  Rambo. 
also  came  in.    Weather  very  fine. 

28th. — Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  ten  o'clock 

M.;  largely  attended.  Our  friends,  James  Jones,  Lindley  M. 
Hoag  and  John  Ilutehin,  of  Xorth  Carolina,  and  the  friends  above 
named,  were  in  attendance.  Our  friend  Thomas  Arnett,  having 
recently  returned  from  Europe,  made  return  of  his  certificates,  and 
gave  an  interesting  and  affecting  statement  of  his  labors  and  travels. 
Very  solemn  and  satisfactory  meeting. 

Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.  ;  satisfactory  sitting. 
One  ti;act  of  land  for  one  ol'  the  schools  pi  ovided  for  in  the  will  of 
the  late  Josiah  White,  having  been  heretofore  purchased  near 
Salem,  Iowa;  report  is  now  received  that  a  tract  on  the  Wabash, 
for  the  Indiana  school,  has  been  bargained  for. 

29th.— General  boarding-school  committee  at  eight  o'clock  a.  m. 
Reports  and  discussions  not  so  satisfactory  as  could  be  wished  for  ; 
yet  it  is  admitted  on  all  hands  that  the  school  has  done  much 
good. 

Eleven  o'clock  A.  M.,  a  very  solemn  favored  Meeting  of  Public 
Worship.    Indian  committee  at  three  o'clock. 

30tli. — I'early  Meeting  for  Discipline  opened  at  ten  o'clock  A.M. 
A  very  large  attendance. 

Tenth-month  5. — The  Y'^early  Meeting  came  to  a  solemn  and 
satisl'actory  close  this  afternoon.  It  may  truly  be  said  that  we 
have  been  blessed  together  once  mpre.  Since  last  date,  our  mijids 
have  been  deeply  engaged  in  the  important  concerns  which  came 
up  for  attention. 

6th,  — Most  of  our  friends  left  yesterday  afternoon  and  to  day. 
Auua  Adams,  who  was  prevented  from  attending  the  first  sittings 


1852] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.' 


105 


of  the  Yearly  Meeting  by  indisposition,  attended  afterward,  and 
was  at  our  meeting  to-day. 

The  railroad  from  Hamilton  to  Eaton  is  now  in  successful  opera- 
tion ;  so  we  can  now  go  to  Cincinnati  much  more  easy  than  formerly, 
and  in  much  less  time. 

Eleventh-month  17. — This  day  brings  with  it  recollections  and 
reflections  of  the  most  serious  character.  Another  year  is  now 
added  to  the  years  I  have  lived;  I  am  now  fifty  four  years  of  age. 
0,  the  rapid  flight  of  time  and  eternity!  never-ending  eternity! 
Time  loill  soon  pass,  and  eternity  will  follow.  O  Lord !  I  pray 
for  the  forgiveness  of  every  sin,  the  wiping  out  of  every  blot. 
"  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart,  and  renew  a  right  spirit  within  me." 
0!  increase  my  faith,  and  help  me  to  increase  and  abound  in  my 
love  to  thee  and  to  my  fellow-men  ;  enable  me  to  be  more  and 
more  grateful  for  thy  unspeakable  love,  condescension  and  mercy, 
through  my  ever  blessed  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  that 
thou  still  visitest  me  with  thy  Holy  Spirit,  thy  love,  thy  mercy, 
and  thy  blessings,  spiritual  and  temporal.  0!  help  me  in  my 
many  weaknesses,  keep  me  from  temptation,  and  deliver  me  from 
evil,  as  in  thy  great  goodness  thou  mayest  see  meet.  Help  me  to 
feel  effectually  that  the  holy  name  of  the  Lord  is  ever  worthy  of 
eternal  adoration! 

Since  last  date,  I  have  been  mostly  at  home,  engaged  in  my 
ordinary  calling,  and  enjoying  a  good  share  of  health.  For  all  our 
blessings  may  I  be  grateful! 

We  have  recently  had  considerable  rain,  and  weather  cool,  but 
not  severely  cold.  The  coldest  morning  yet  this  fall  was  that  of 
the  16th,  when  the  thermometer  was  down  to  twenty-four  degrees. 

Our  boarding-school  has  been  put  into  operation,  by  the  new 
committee,  for  the  winter  season — Isaac  and  Dinah  Gardner  super- 
intendents, and  William  Haughton  principal  teacher  in  the  male 
department. 

John  M.  Macy  lias  commenced  his  winter  session  of  our  Monthly 
Meeting's  school  at  Whitewater,  with  favorable  prospects. 

Ticef/th-mmth  18.  —  Seventh-day.  —  On  this  day,  about  twelve 
o'cio' k  M.,  our  sister  Phebo  Coffin,  widow  of  brother  Zaccharias, 
deceased.    Her  close  was  peaceful. 

C 'u  inued  good  health  in  our  little  family,  since  last  date,  has 


106 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1853. 


been  enjoj-ed.  Our  sincere  gratefulness  to  the  great  Ruler  of  all 
things  should  also  continue. 

This  winter  season,  so  far,  has  been  much  milder,  or  with  less 
severe  cold,  than  the  usual  average. 

We  have  finished  reading  the  three  volumes  of  Murdock's  Trans- 
lation of  Mosheim's  Church  History.  I  have  felt  myself  enter- 
tained and  improved  by  the  present  hearing  of  this  work.  Parts  of 
it  I  would  like  to  review. 

23d  and  24:th. — It  has  rained  most  profusely,  and  for  many 
hours  together,  insomuch  that  there  is  a  very  great  freshet.  The 
waters  in  the  streams  are  higher  than  they  have  been  for  several 
years. 

25th. — The  day  set  apart  by  the  Latin  and  other  churches  to 
celebrate  the  birth  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
I  hope  ever  to  think,  with  the  most  profound  adoration,  of  his 
coming  into  the  world  to  save  sinners,  and  to  bless  our  fallen  race. 

We  hear  of  great  damages  by  the  high  water;  many  bridges 
are  injured,  and  some  carried  off ;  the  railroads  are  injured,  and 
their  use  temporarily  suspended ;  and  the  Whitewater  Canal  is  so 
greatly  injured,  that  its  being  again  repaired  for  use  appears  some- 
what doubtful.  Telegraph  communication  here  is  also  temporarily 
cut  off. 

We  are  engaged  in  reading  in  our  family,  at  the  breakfast  table, 
the  prophet  Jeremiah,  and  a  portion  of  the  Psalms,  each  day;  of 
evenings  we  are  reading  Nevin's  Biblical  Antiquities,  a  valuable 
and  interesting  work ;  we  have  also  read  some  of  the  tracts  of  the 
American  Tract  Association. 

My  mind  has  been  engaged  of  late  in  considering  the  propriety 
of  undertaking  to  compile  a  little  book  of  Scripture  questions  on 
the  gospel  of  Matthew,  for  the  use  of  families  and  schools. 

First-month  17. — Our  brother  Micah  Newby  was  removed  by 
death  on  this  day,  at  near  three  o'clock  P.  M.  We  have  cause  for 
deep  sympathy  with  our  dear  sister  in  her  affliction.  The  sickness 
of  our  grandson  Charles  Henry  seems  to  render  it  improper  that 
we  should  undertake  to  attend  the  funeral. 

18th. — I  wrote  a  letter  of  sympathy  to  my  dear  sister. 

21st. — I  have  long  had  it  on  my  mind  to  become  a  life  member 
of  the  American  Bible  Society,  for  the  purpose  of  bearing  testi- 
mony to  my  cordial  approbation  of  the  objects  of  that  society,  and 


1853.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


107 


of  contributing,  though  little,  in  this  manner  to  the  work  in  which 
it  is  engaged.  I  concluded,  therefore,  to  delay  no  longer  in  doing 
that  which  I  have  so  long  thought  of  doing,  and  think  I  shall  not 
feel  satisfaction  in  the  omission  of  it.  I  accordingly  addressed  the 
following  letter  to  the  general  agent  and  assistant  treasurer : 

Richmond,  Indiana,  First-month  21,  1853 

Joseph  Hyde, 

Gen.  Agent  and  Asst.  Treas.  American  Bible  Society. 

Respected  Friend:  For  the  purpose  of  contributing,  in  a  small 
degree,  to  the  universal  diffusion,  reading  and  believing  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  bearing  testimony  of  my  approbation  of  that  excel- 
lent work,  by  recording  my  name  among  those  engaged  in  it,  I  of 
fer,  inclosed  herein,  my  check  on  New  York  for  thirty  dollars  ($30), 
to  constitute  myself  a  life  member  of  the  American  Bible  Society. 

I  have,  for  a  long  time  past,  been  actively  engaged,  in  a  small  way, 
in  a  Bible  association,  to  promote  the  diffusion  and  reading  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures;  but  cordially  approving  the  objects  of  the  Ameri- 
can Bible  Society,  as  set  out  in  the  first  article  of  its  constitutica, 
I  wish,  in  this  manner,  to  give  practical  evidence  of  that  approba- 
tion. 

Plea.«e  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  the  draft,  adding  any  remarks 
thou  may  est  desire.  Respectfully, 

Elijah  Coffin. 

An  extract  from  a  letter  addressed  to  the  fiimily  of 
Elijah  Coffin  from  the  American  Bible  Society,  and  received 
soon  after  his  decease,  will  be  perused  with  interest  by  the 
various  branches  of  his  family,  as  commemorative  of  the 
esteem  with  which  the  society  regarded  its  coadjutor. 

American  Bible  Society,  Bible  House,  Astor  Place,  > 
New  York,  February  3,  1862.  j 

C.  F.  Coffin, 

Richmond,  Indiana. 
Respected  Friend:    *    *    *    *    "  We  receive  information 
of  the  death  of  your  much  respected  and  lamented  father,  Elijah 
Coffin,  who  we  had  the  gratification  of  seeing  here  and  knowing, 


108 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1853. 


personally,  and  whose  Christian  character  will  be  remembered,  as  it 
i.3  truly  appreciated  by  us.  The  short  time  he  spent  here  enabled 
him  to  see  the  active  operations  of  this  society,  in  whose  labors  of 
love  he  was  a  hearty  and  earnest  co-operator,  recommending  the 
word,  which  was  his  guide,  not  only  with  his  lips  but  in  his  life. 

We  were  not  prepared  for  this  mournful  intelligence,  having  had 
no  knowledge  of  his  previous  illness,  but  it  ought  to  be  a  warning 
to  us  all  "  to  do  what  our  hands  find  to  do,  with  our  might,"  as  we 
know  not  when  we  may  be  called  away — and  when  our  time  does 
arrive,  may  we,  like  your  beloved  father,  die  in  full  faith  of  a  glo- 
rious immortality  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  His  family  and 
friends  have  our  warm  sympathy  under  the  bereavement.  His  suc- 
cessor will,  we  hope,  like  your  honored  father,  prove  a  warm  and 
efficient  friend  and  coadjutor  in  our  good  cause."  ***** 

His  labors  in  the  auxiliary  to  the  American  Bible  Society 
at  Richmond,  Indiana,  are  referred  to  in  the  following  reso- 
lution, which  was  passed  at  its  next  meeting  after  he  had 
quitted  the  scene  of  his  earthly  labors. 

"  Resolved — That  in  the  recent  death  of  Elijah  Coffin,  a  member 
of  this  society,  a  life  member  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  and 
an  officer  of  the  Indiana  Bible  Association  of  Friends,  we  feel  that 
our  cause  has  lost  one  of  its  most  efficient  helpers;  and  by  that 
death  we  feel  called  upon  to  repair  that  loss  as  well  as  we  may,  by 
emulating  his  bright  example.  Adopted." 

After  much  mild,  gloomy,  and  considerable  rainy  weather,  we 
now  have  it  beautifully  clear.  On  the  morning  of  the  19th  the  ther- 
mometer stood  at  ten  degrees  above  zero,  which  is  much  the  coldest 
of  this  winter,  so  far. 

We  have  finished  reading  Nevin's  Biblical  Antiquities ;  and  are 
now  engaged  of  evenings  in  reading  the  Maccabees,  so  as  to  get  a 
more  perfect  knowledge  of  the  history,  etc.,  of  the  Jews  in  the  times 
from  Malachi  to  the  Christian  era. 

24th. — To-day  we  have  the  ground  covered  with  snow,  which  ia 
the  first  time  for  this  winter.  The  weather  is  not  very  severely 
cold. 

26th. — Thermometer  three  degrees  abc^e  zero  this  morning. 


1853.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  109 

Decidedly  the  coldest  of  the  season,  so  far.  General  good  health 
prevails. 

The  year  1852  may  be  reckoned  a  year  of  remarkable  prosperity 
in  the  country.  The  crops  produced  by  the  land  were  generally 
pretty  good,  so  that  the  surplus  in  this  country,  over  what  is  re- 
quired for  home  consumption,  is  very  great;  and  the  prices  for  it 
unusually  high.  Added  to  which,  good  health  has  prevailed  gene- 
rally. The  prices  are  considered  to  be  influenced  by  the  great  in- 
flux of  gold  from  California ;  by  the  great  number  and  amount  of 
public  works  now  in  progress,  and  other  causes.  I  believe  that 
money  was  never  so  abundant  in  this  country  before.  The  causes 
for  reverent  gratefulness  and  devotedness  of  heart  to  the  great  and 
good  Giver,  from  whom  every  blessing  comes,  surely  appear  largely 
on  every  hand.  May  the  nation  thank  the  name  of  the  Lord,  and 
learn  to  serve  him  more  uprightly. 

Second-month  6. — A  great  snow.  We  very  seldom  see  so  much 
at  one  time. 

My  health  is  injured  by  over  exertioo  and  fatigue  in  the  duties 
of  my  office  the  past  week;  the  effect  is  extremely  depressing  upon 
my  mind.  This  is  a  time  of  darkness  and  distress,  of  gloom  and 
discouragement.  It  would  seem  as  if  all  good  had  departed  from 
me.  It  being  First-day,  Wilson  Carter  attended  meeting,  and  had 
requested  general  notice  to  be  given ;  such  is  my  low  state  of 
mind  and  illness  in  body  that  I  remained  pretty  much  within 
doors,  and  did  not  attend  meeting. 

In  the  afternoon,  had  an  acceptable  visit  from  Wilson  Carter  and 
his  companion ;  which  somewhat  refreshed  me. 

7th. — Better;  but  still  under  a  low  feeling. 

8th. — Weather  very  fine  and  refreshing.  Thermometer  four  de- 
grees helow  zero  this  morning.  My  health  is  decidedly  improved. 
I  feel  very  little  ability  for  successful  prayer  yet.  But  I  look  to 
Jesus,  whom  I  find  I  still  love,  and  must  rely  upon  his  mercy  and 
kindness  for  deliverance  and  salvation. 

9th. — Thermometer  twelve  degress  below  zero  this  morning. 
Snow  still  on  the  ground,  very  little  melted.  Weather  very  fine. 
I  had  a  refreshing  night's  sleep  last  night — my  health  is  nearly  re- 
covered; spiritually,  I  am  still  lean,  yet  less  in  gloom. 

Third-month  18. — This  day  is  to  be  noted  for  the  opening  of 
(railroad  communication  from  Dayton  to  Richmoad.    The  workmen 


110 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFHT. 


[1853. 


reached  the  latter  this  day,  in  laying  the  iron  track,  and  the  whistle 
of  the  locomotive  sounded  through  the  air.  The  railway  from 
Eaton  to  Richmond  is  in  a  state  of  forwardness,  but  not  yet  com- 
pleted. 

The  winter  session  of  our  Monthly  Meeting's  school,  John  M. 
Macy,  teacher,  closed  to-day. 

This  being  the  time  of  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Elk  (Westfield  Q. 
M.),  my  wife  and  self  attended  the  select  and  other  meetings.  My 
feelings  depressed  some  of  the  time. 

19th. — Westfield  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Elk.  I  rose  this  morn- 
ing under  feelings  of  great  depression,  my  health  being  feeble,  and 
my  sense  of  unworthiness  indescribable.  I  have  no  doubt  that  I 
fell  into  error  in  my  great  weakness,  and  said  something  which  I 
had  better  not.  After  some  outward  refreshments  and  rest,  I  felt 
much  better,  so  that  I  enjoyed  the  Quarterly  Meeting  in  a  good  de- 
gree, and  joined  the  few  members  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  commit- 
tee in  attendance,  in  considerable  communication,  in  which  a  favor 
attended  me,  and  I  felt  much  better  afterward. 

J^oiirth-monfh  1. — We  have  fine  mild  weather,  the  ground  be- 
coming dry,  and  the  grass  showing  itself.  We  are  planting  some 
garden  seeds. 

I  am  engaged  in  compiling  a  little  book  of  Scripture  questions 
on  the  book  of  Matthew,  designed  to  assist  parents  and  teachers  in 
giving  Scriptural  instruction. 

A  part  of  the  committee  of  conference  continued  by  our  last 
Yearly  Meeting  have  a  prospect  of  attending  the  approaching  Yearly 
Meeting  in  Philadelphia.    This  is  felt  to  be  a  weighty  engagement. 

The  railway  from  Eaton  to  this  place  is  progressing  rapidly  to- 
ward completion.  Part  of  the  iron  track  is  laid  this  side  of  our 
State  line. 

We  had  an  acceptable  visit  from  our  dear  children  Eli  and  Mary 
C.  Johnson,  in  the  fore  part  of  this  week.  Our  dear  Mary's  health 
is  poor  ;  we  feel  much  anxiety  about  her. 

12th. — My  friend  Joseph  Cox  having  come  thus  far  on  his  way, 
we  set  off  about  twelve  o'clock,  expecting  to  be  joined  by  Johu 
Hadley,  jr.,  on  the  railroad  above  Cincinnati,  with  a  view  for  us  to 
proceed  on  to  Philadelphia,  to  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends 
in  that  city,  as  a  delegation  from  the  committee  of  conference  ap- 
pointed by  our  Yearly  Meeting.    We  staid  at  Cincinnati  all  night 


1853.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


Ill 


13th. — Went  forward.  John  Hadley,  jr.,  joined  us  at  Corwin. 
To  Columbus  to  dinner;  to  Cleveland  to  supper ;  then  forward  to 
Pittsburg,  at  which  place  we  arrived  about  three  o'clock  A.  M.  the 
14th. 

14th. — After  some  rest  in  the  morning  we  proceeded  by  the 
Pennsylvania  railroad.  Having  crossed  the  mountains,  we  stopped 
at  the  Mountain  House  to  rest. 

I  15th. — Reached  Philadelphia  by  the  way  of  Harrisburg  and 
Lancaster  at  about  eleven  o'clock  P.  M.  Were  kindly  taken  in 
by  our  esteemed  friend  Thomas  Kimber,  at  whose  house  Joseph 
and  I  staid  duringthe  Yeally  Meeting.  John  went  to  M.  C. 
Cope's. 

16th — Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  in  Philadelphia. 
We  called  upon  our  beloved  friend  Thomas  Evans,  before  meeting, 
who  kindly  showed  us  the  way.  In  the  time  of  worship,  before  bu- 
siness was  taken  up,  our  friends,  Cordelia  Bayes  and  Anna  Thorn- 
burgh  had  some  service,  which  appeared  to  me  to  be  in  place.  Af- 
ter the  opening  proceedings,  the  certificates  and  minutes  of  Friends, 
from  other  Yearly  Meetings,  now  in  attendance,  were  read.  Cordelia 
Bayes,  from  England,  Silas  Downing,  Henry  E.  Knowles,  and 
Charles  Taber,  from  within  the  limits  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  New 
York  ;  Anna  Thornburgh,  Jemima  Burson,  and  Sarah  M.  Hiatt, 
from  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting;  and  Rebecca  Michener  from  Ohio, 
were  in  attendance.  Ephriam  Morgan,  an  Elder,  from  Cincinnati, 
attended  the  next  sitting.  The  Friends,  named  above,  each,  had  com- 
panions. At  a  suitable  time,  Cordelia  Bayes  informed  the  meeting 
that  she  had  no  prospect  of  attending  another  Yearly  Meeting  in 
Philadelphia,  and  a  committee  was  thereupon  appointed  to  prepare, 
if  way  should  open  a  certificate  for  her.  The  meeting,  after  having 
proceeded  about  as  far  as  usual  in  its  business,  adjourned. 

17th. — First-day. — Attended  Twelfth-street  meeting,  at  tec 
o'clock.  Dined  with  Isaac  and  Rebecca  Collins.  Attended  Orange 
street  meeting,  at  four  P.  M. 

18th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  convened  at  the  Arch-street  House, 
at  ten  o'clock.  After  the  usual  preliminary  proceedings,  the  certi- 
ficates and  minutes  were  read  including  our  extract,  whicl^  we  had 
handed  up.  Then  the  American  Epistles,  beginning  with  New  York, 
and  excepting  New  England  ;  then  Dublin,  London,  and,  lastly,  the 
London  Genera!  Epistle.   Some  discussion  took  place,  as  to  read- 


112 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1853. 


ing  the  epistle  from  New  England,  and  while  it  was  plain,  that  some 
desired  it  might  be  read,  and  correpondence  resumed,  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  meeting  was  against  it. 

After  the  discussion  was  closed,  and  the  meeting  was  about  to  ad- 
journ, we  thought  it  our  duty  to  take  the  floor,  and  urge  in  a  can- 
did, but  modest  and  affectionate  manner,  the  uneasiness  which  the 
position  of  that  Yearly  Meeting  was  giving  to  the  Friends  in  other 
parts,  and  to  press,  closely  home,  to  their  very  serious  consideration, 
the  duty,  which  might  belong  to  them,  in  doing  their  part,  toward 
a  reconciliation  in  Society.  All  three  of  us  joined  in  our  earnest 
appeal  to  them.  We  were  listened  to,  in  our  short  address,  in  a  si- 
lent and  attentive  manner ;  and,  soon  after  we  closed,  the  meeting 
adjourned. 

In  the  afternoon  sitting,  the  minutes  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings, 
were  read. 

19th. — Third-day, — Two  sittings.  State  of  Society.  Report  of 
Westtown  boarding-school.  That  school  appears  to  be  in  a  prosper- 
ous condition. 

20th. — Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  eight  A.  M.  A  cer- 
tificate for  our  friend  Cordelia  Bayes  was  adopted.  The  meeting 
got  through  its  business  and  concluded. 

Yearly  Meeting  at  eleven.  An  address  to  the  members  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  prepared  by  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  was  brought 
in,  read,  considered  and  adopted.  In  the  afternoon  sitting, 
the  report  on  Indian  concerns  was  read. 

21st — Meetings  for  Worship,  in  the  morning.  In  the  afternoon, 
the  education  report  was  read.  One  thousand  four  hundred  and 
twenty  three  children,  of  a  suitable  age  to  go  to  school,  are  report- 
ed. Afterward,  the  report  on  the  use  of  spiritous  liquors.  It  ap- 
pears that  a  few  of  the  members  are  still  in  the  practice  of  using 
this  article  as  a  drink. 

22d. — Sixth-day. — Epistles  to  the  American  Yearly  Meetings, 
(except  New  England,)  and  to  London  and  Dublin,  were  read  and 
adopted.  The  meeting  afterward  came  to  a  conclusion,  at  about 
one  o'clock  p.  m. — We  dined  with  Townsend  Sharpless,  then  I  part- 
ed with  my  companions,  Joseph  Cox  and  John  Hadley,jun.,  who  re- 
mained, with  the  prospect  of  attending  the  conference  at  Baltimore, 
on  the  ninth  of  next  month,  and  proceeded  with  my  friend,  David 


[1853. 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


113 


Sands  by  railroad  across  New  Jersey  to  New  York,  which  place 
we  reached  about  sunset. 

23d. — Passed  the  day  in  the  city  of  New  York.  In  the 
morning,  with  my  dear  friend  Mahloa  Day,  visited  the  reser- 
voir of  the  Croton  water,  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  From  the 
top  of  the  wall  of  the  reservoir,  we  could  see  the  "Crystal  Palace," 
just  being  erected  for  the  "World's  Fair,"  and  not  yet  finished.  A 
great  prospect  of  the  city  and  suburbs  was,  also,  here  before  us. 
I  was  highly  entertained  with  the  view  of  the  substantial  and  ex- 
cellent reservoir  and  the  interesting  prospect  around.  The  "Color 
ed  Orphan  Institute ''  being  very  near,  we  obtained  adiuittaiice. 
through  my  kind  friend,  and  I  was  highly  gratified  with  what  I  saw 
of  the  Institute  and  its  inmates.  We  returned  thence  to  the  lower 
part  of  the  city;  and  after  visiting  some  of  the  business  houses, 
I  went,  with  the  same  kind  friend,  to  see  the  "Arctic,"  one  of  the 
American  Ocean  steam-ships,  which  we  were  permitted  to  pass 
through.  We  visited,  also,  the  Bible  House  of  the  American  Bi- 
ble Society,  and  the  Tract  House  of  the  American  Tract  Society. 
To  dinner  with  Mahlon  Day,  and  to  David  Sands"  at  night. 

2-4th. — First-day. — Attended  both  morning  and  afternoon  meet- 
ing. Took  dinner  to-day  with  William  Cromwell,  where  we  had 
the  company  of  our  dear  aged  friend,  Richard  Mott ;  also  of  Wil- 
liam Wood  and  Mary  his  wife.  In  the  evening,  had  the  acceptable 
company  of  Henry  and  Grace  Dickinson,  M.  F.  Mott,  Mary  Mur- 
ray, Anna  Shotwell  and  others,  at  our  friend  David  Sands'. 

25th. — Serond-dat/  morning. — Left  New  York,  at  seven  A.  M. 
by  the  Erie  railroad,  bound  for  home. 

We  passed  through  much  interesting  country  scenery,  upon  our 
long  route  to-day,  and  arrived  at  Dunkirk,  at  about  half-past 
twelve  at  night.  Proceeding  onward  upon  the  lake  shore,  we 
came  to  Cleveland  about  eight  A.  M.,  the  26th;  then,  leaving  at 
nine  A.  M.,  in  the  cars  of  the  Cleveland  and  Columbus  railroad,  I 
went  forward  to  I]li  Johnson's,  at  Corwin,  where  I  stopped  with 
our  children  at  seven  P.  M.  Next  day,  I  went  home,  vid  Cincin- 
nati. My  health  has  been  remarkably  preserved  during  the  whole 
of  this  long  journey,  which  has  been  in  everyway  prosperous  as 
to  traveling  with  speed  and  comfort :  and  now,  finding  my  dear 
family  well,  there  is  abundant  cause  of  renewed  gratefulness  to  Him 
from  whom  all  good  comes. 


114 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


1853.] 


Smrnfh-inonfh  13.  Since  the  foregoing  date  my  book  of  notes 
has  been  lying  })y  without  addition.  And  now,  looking  back,  I 
see  that  between  two  and  three  months  of  time  is  soon  gone. 

During  this  season,  so  far,  we  have  been  remarkably  blessed  as  to 
health  in  our  dear  family  ;  and  health  has  prevailed  in  the  town 
and  neighborhood  generally — the  grateful  remembrance  whereof 
should  be  often  present. 

I  have  been  steadily  engaged  in  my  daily  occupation,  as  an  of- 
ficer in  the  state  bank  ;  A.  C.  Blanchard  still  being  the  president 
of  our  branch,  and  Charles  F.  Coffin,  the  teller  and  clerk. 

Another  institution  has  been  set  up,  called  the  "Citizens'  Bank," 
in  which,  Robert  Morrison,  A.  C.  Blanchard,  and  C.  F.  Coffin  are 
the  partners. 

I  have  finished  writing  my  little  book  of  "Scripture  Exercises  on 
the  Gospel  according  to  St.  Matthew,"  and  the  same  is  now  in  the 
hands  of  stereotypers.  I  am  making  some  progress  in  another, 
on  the  Gospel  according  to  St.  Mark.  These  give  me  much  labor 
and  attention  ;  but  it  proves  to  have  an  edifying  and  supporting 
tendency  on  the  mind. 

The  railway  hence  to  Eaton  and  Hamilton  via  Cincinnati,  is  in 
successful  operation.  Passenger  trains  are  dispatched  and  arrive 
daily.  The  Indiana  Central  Railway  is  in  successful  operation  to 
Centerville.  The  work  west  of  Centerville  is  progressing  rapidly. 
Passenger  trains  go  once,  and  back  to  Dayton,  daily. 

The  present  season  was  pleasant,  in  the  fore  part,  with  sufficient 
rain  for  the  crops.  A  little  later  it  was  considerably  dry  in  some 
places.  Wheat  and  hay  are  yielded  in  fair  average ;  the  oats  is 
said  to  be  pretty  good — and  corn  looks  well.  There  is.  also,  a  pros- 
pect of  plenty  of  fruits. 

The  weather  has  been  extremely  warm  during  a  part  of  this 
month  ;  the  thermometer,  at  its  highest,  ninety-two  to  ninety-four 
degrees,  but  it  is  now  more  pleasant. 

Seventh-month  27. — Monthly  Meeting.  A  memorial  of  our  de- 
parted friend  Jeremiah  Hubbard,  was  read  to  day,  and  referred  to 
a  committee  for  some  emendation,  if  found  necessary. 

We  have  had  a  fine  rain  within  a  few  days  past. 

Ei>jhlh-mo}ith  25. — Fiflh-daij. — My  wife  and  self  have  been  en- 
gaged, since  last  Seventh-day,  with  several  other  member's  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting's  committee,  in  attending  the  Monthly  Meetings 


[1853. 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


115 


belonging  to  New  Gaideu  Quarter.  The  service,  on  our  part,  lius 
been  attended  to  under  much  pliysioal  weakness,  and,  at  times,  of 
mental  depression  ;  but,  notwithstanding,  it  has  afforded  us  satis- 
faction. We  came  home  I'roui  Dover  to-day.  The  other  mem- 
bers who  have  been  out  with  us  propose  attending  the  Quarterly 
Meeting. 

28th. — For  a  few  evenings  past  a  beautiful  comet,  has  been  vis- 
ible in  the  western  part  of  the  heavens,  near  the  horizon.  Its 
tail  extends  pretty  directly  upward,  seven  or  eight  degrees. 

29th. — Our  friends,  Daniel  Barker  and  Lydia  his  wife,  from 
North  Carolina,  traveling  on  a  religious  visit,  staid  with  us  last 
night.  They  left  this  morning  by  railway  for  Ohio  Yearly 
Meeting. 

Niuth-monlh  1. — There  is  an  awful  visitation  of  yellow-fever  at 
New  Orleans.    About  two  hundred  die  daily. 

27th. — Our  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  convened  at 
ten  this  morning.  We  had,  acceptably  with  us  in  attendance 
Susan  R.  Smith,  of  Burlington,  New  Jersey  ;  Susan  Howland,  from 
New  Bedford,  Mass. :  and  her  companions  Nathan  Breed,  and  Mary 
his  wife,  from  Lynn,  Mass.  ;  Daniel  Barker,  and  Lydia,  his  wife, 
from  North  Carolina  ;  Nathan  Douglas,  and  Wm.  B.  Thomson,  both 
from  Maine.    We  had  a  favored  meeting. 

At  three,  P.  M.,  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  was  held. 

28th. — Public  Meeting  at  eleven.  Indian  committee,  at  three 
p.  M.  Central  Book  and  Tract,  at  six  P.  M.  All  pretty  largely 
attended. 

29th. — Yearly  Meeting  convened  to-day  at  ten.  Continued  by 
adjournments  until  Third-day,  Tenth-month  4th.  The  meeting  was 
largely  attended  ;  yet  not  so  largely,  perhaps,  as  on  some  former 
occasions.  The  business  was  conducted  throughout  in  much  good 
feeling  and  brotherly  fellowship.  A  memorial  on  the  subject  of  tem- 
perance, addressed  to  the  Legislatures  of  Indiana,  Ohio,  Illinois, 
and  Iowa,  was  adopted  with  much  unity.  The  meeting  succeeded, 
before  its  close,  in  making  up  by  subscription  in  the  body  of  the 
meeting,  the  balance  wanting  to  complete  the  sum  ef  sixteen  thou- 
sand dollars,  for  finishing  the  boarding-school  buildings.  So  it  ap- 
pears that  work,  which  has  been  so  long  lying  in  an  unfinished  state, 
may  now  be  prosecuted  to  completion.  A  committee  was  set  apart 
on  revision  of  Discipline,  with  reference  to  printing  a  new  edition. 


116 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


1853.] 


My  little  book  of  ''Scripture  Exercises,"  on  the  Gospel  according 
to  St.  Matthew,  is  now  finished  and  printed,  and  oflFered  for  sale. 

I  have  made  some  progress  with  the  book  of  St.  Mark. 

We  have  very  fine  weather  this  fall ; — the  crops  are  generally 
good ;  and  fruit,  plentiful.  General  good  health  prevails.  The 
yellow  fever  at  New  Orleans,  which  has  raged  so  awfully,  has  sub- 
sided, and  the  scourge  appears  to  be  passing  ofi".  Over  eight  thou- 
sand have  died,  from  Fifth-month  28,  to  Tenth-month  1. 

Our  dear  friend,  David  Miles,  was  so  badly  stunned  and  wound- 
ed by  a  fall  from  the  west  end  of  the  railway  bridge,  on  Second - 
day  evening,  Tenth-month  3,  as  he  was  passing  on  toward  Levi  Jes- 
sup's,  that  he  died  on  the  next  day. 

Tenth-month  8. — Stventh-day. — The  Central  Indiana  Railway  is 
opened  this  day,  through  to  Indianapolis ;  the  first  trip  was  made 
with  the  cars  to-day  through  from  Dayton  to  Indianapolis. 

21st. — Sixth-day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends,  in  London, 
having  caused  their  address  against  slavery  and  the  slave  trade  to 
be  presented,  through  their  deputations  set  apart  for  that  purpose, 
to  many  of  the  governments  of  Europe ;  also  to  the  government  of 
Brazil,  in  South  America  ;  their  present  deputation  consisting  of 
Josiah  Forster,  William  Forster,  John  Candler,  and  Wm.  Holmes, 
have  proceeded  to  the  United  States,  to  present  the  Address  to  our 
general  government,  at  Washington  City  ;  and,  also,  to  the  state  go- 
vernments, severally,  as  they,  in  the  progress  of  their  work,  may- 
see  it  proper.  They  have  been  to  Washington  City  and  presented 
their  address  to  the  President :  since  that,  they  have  presented  it 
to  the  governors  of  Virginia,  Ohio  and  Kentucky;  and  on  their  way 
to  Indianapolis,  to  present  it  to  the  governor  of  Indiana,  they  arrived 
at  Richmond,  from  Cincinnati,  this  evening.  Josiah  Forster  and 
John  Candler,  made  their  home  at  my  house,  and  William  Forster 
and  William  Holmes,  at  Charles'. 

22d. — The  four  Friends  visited  some  of  their  acquaintances. 

23d. — They  attended  our  meeting  at  Whitewater.  John  Candler 
and  William  Forster  spoke  in  the  ministry  acceptably. 

24th. — Our  friends  visited  the  boarding-school,  and,  also,  some 
families  of  their  acquaintance. 

25th — They  set  ofi',  at  eight  A.  M.,  in  the  cars,  to  Indianapolis,  to 
seek  an  interview  with  Governor  Joseph  A.  Wright. 


[1853. 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN, 


117 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Passage  of  Nebraska  Bill. — Journey  to  Eastern  Cities. — Yearly  Meeting 
AT  Newport,  R.  I.— Return  Home. — Indiana  Ybarly  Meeting. — Visit  to 
THE  West. — N.  C.  Hoag  and  Wm.  Hobbs. — Prayer. — Visit  to  North  Carolina. 

Eleventh-month  17. — This  day  brings  with  it  very  serious  reflec- 
tions.   I  am  fifty-five  years  old  to-day. 

We  hear  that  our  friends  were  received  and  treated  very  civilly 
by  our  governor. 

Twelfth-month  3. — This  is  our  Quarterly  Meeting  time.  The 
meeting  has  been  attended,  and  we  have  had  a  good  meeting.  Jar- 
ed  Patterson,  Francis  W.  Thomas  and  Samuel  Bonine,  were  in  at- 
tendance, with  minutes  from  their  meetings. 

The  fall  and  early  part  of  the  winter  have  been  very  mild  and 
agreeable.  We  have  had  no  severe  cold  yet,  and  scarcely  any  snow. 
Health  is  very  good ;  the  products  of  the  country,  plentiful,  and 
the  prices  good. 

War  is  commenced  between  Turkey  and  Russia. 

5th. — Went  to  Indianapolis  this  day  by  the  Central  Railway  :  the 
cars  have  been  going  for  some  time  past,  but  this  is  my  first  trip. 
Quick,  to  what  it  used  to  be  on  horseback,  or  by  stage-coach.  We 
were  upon  the  road  nearly  four  hours. 

20th. — This  morning  the  thermometer  was  down  to  two  degrees 
below  zero.    There  is  a  little  snow  on  the  ground. 

23d — Severely  cold.  A  piercing  wind  from  the  west,  during  the 
day.  Thermometer  in  the  evening,  four  degrees  above  zero,  and 
in  the  morning  of  24th,  three  degrees  above  zero. 

24th. — Very  fine,  but  cold. 

First-month  20,  1854. — This  morninu,  my  beloved  brother,  Paul 
CotEn,  died,  at  a  little  past  seven  o'clock;  aged  sixty-nine  years  and 
{(bout  ten  months.  He  had'been  much  aflSicted,  for  several  years 
with  neuralgia  ]  and  this  disease,  settling  upon  his  bowels  and  vita 
parts  with  increased  symptoms,  was  considered  to  be  the  cause  o^" 
his  death.  The  event  was  not  unexnected  to  him.  He  had  caused 
his  l  utward  affairs  to  be  settle]  ■■   '      iio-ed.  and  his  mind  had,  it 


118 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1854. 


is  believed,  become  fully  resigned  to  the  expected  cbange.  He 
hoped  and  believed  that  he  had  obtained  peace  with  God,  and  his 
end  was  quiet,  and  appeared  to  be  perfectly  peaceful.  He  had  ex- 
pressed some  feeling,  when  conversing  with  his  wife  previously  to 
his  decease,  at  the  thought  of  leaving  lier  behind,  they  having  lived  to- 
gether deeply  attached  in  marriage  union,  for  more  than  forty  year?. 

21st. — Sevtnth-day. — I  received  the  notice,  this  morning,  of  the 
decease  of  my  dear  brother  ;  and  made  haste  to  reach  their  dwell- 
ing before  the  appointed  hour  in  the  afternoon  for  the  burial.  The 
day  was  extremely  cold  :  but  a  very  respectable,  quiet,  and  kind 
company  were  in  attendance,  and  rendered  all  necessary  assist- 
ance in  the  solemn  and  last  service  of  committing  the  remains  to 
the  grave. 

22d. — Attended  Friends'  Meeting  at  Bethel  to-day.  The  night 
very  severely  cold. 

23d. — Thermometer  twelve  degress  below  zero,  this  morning. 

By  a  letter  dated  the  27th  ultimo,  at  Xa?hvi!le,  Tennes>ee,  writ- 
ten by  our  beloved  friend  Josiah  Forster,  we  are  informed  that  the 
four  Friends,  constituting  the  deputation  from  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  London  to  present  their  address  on  the  slave  trade  and  slavery, 
proceeded  on  their  journey  from  Indianapolis  to  Illinois  ;  from  Illi- 
nois to  Wisconsin;  from  Wisconsin  to  Missouri ;  from  Missouri,  far 
down  the  Mississippi  River,  to  Louisiana  ;  from  Louisiana  to  Mis- 
sissippi; from  Mississippi  to  Alabama;  from  Alabama  to  Georgia; 
frona  Georgia  to  South  Carolina;  from  South  Carolina  to  Tennessee, 
where  they  were  on  the  27th  ultimo.  Josiah  writes  that  all  the 
governors  whom  they  had  been  with,  had  listened  kindly  and  re- 
spectfully to  them. 

By  a  note  from  Josiah  Forster.  written  on  the  11th  and  12th  in- 
stant, postmarked  at  Campbell's  Station,  Tennessee,  we  are  informed 
that  William  Forster  was  seized  with  serious  illness  on  the  4th  in- 
stant, and  that  the  party  were  stopped  on  account  thereof  at  a  place 
near  the  Holstein.  about  eight  miles  from  Newberry  Meeting  of 
Friends. 

Second-montli  10. — By  a  note  received  from  Josiah  Forster,  we 
have  the  sad  and  affecting  intelligence  of  the  decease,  at  the 
place  last  named,  of  our  dear  and  valued  friend  William  Forster, 
on  Sixth-day  the  27th  of  last  month  ;  and  of  his  burial  at  Friends- 
ville  (Newberry),  on  the  29th.    His  loss  will  be  deeply  felt  through- 


1854.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAU  COFFIN. 


119 


out  our  religious  Society  in  England  and  America.  The  other  mem- 
ber.s  of  the  party  proceed  onward  toward  North  Carolina. 

21st. — TVe  have  had  changeable  weather,  but  very  little  of  a 
severe  degree  of  cold.  The  price  of  flour  at  Cincinnati  rose  to 
seven  dollars  the  barrel,  a  little  while  past;  but  has  receded  to  about 
six  dollars  seventy -five  cents. 

22d. — Monthly  Meeting.  My  dear  wife  obtained  the  concurrence 
of  the  meeting  to  visit  the  families  of  West  Grove  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, in  the  love  of  the  truth. 

Tliird-vionth  11.- — My  dear  wife  set  off  this  morning,  having 
Jonathan  and  Mary  Roberts  for  companion^,  to  West  Grove 
Monthly  Meeting,  to  be  held  to-day;  expecting  to  proceed  with  her 
visit  after  meeting. 

17th. — My  dear  wife  returned  home,  having  performed  her  visit 
to  the  families,  to  the  relief  of  her  mind. 

The  weather,  for  some  time  past,  has  been  remarkable  pleasant. 

Fifth  month  24th. — We  were  exceedingly  grieved  this  morning 
with  the  intelligence  that  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  ha.s 
passed  what  is  termed  the  "  Nebraska  Bill,"  which  opens  the  way 
for  the  admission  of  slavery  into  the  new  territories  of  vast  extent, 
if  the  settlers  there  should  so  elect. 

My  wife  and  self  having  for  some  time  past  entertained  the  pros- 
pect of  a  journey  eastward,  as  far  as  New  England,  and  having  a 
desire,  that  if  Providence  should  afford  us  ability,  to  attend  the 
next  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  in  Rhode  Island,  if  our  Friends  at 
home  should  unite  with  it,  our  case  was  opened  to  them  at  our 
Monthly  Meeting  to-day,  and  submitted  to  their  consideration. 
The  meeting  freely  uniting  therewith,  a  minute  was  made  accord- 
ingly- 

31st. — A  committee  appointed  by  our  last  Yearly  Meeting  to 
take  into  consideration  our  present  Discipline,  and  propose  to  next 
Yearly  Meeting  such  emendations  and  alterations  as  may  appear  to 
them  proper  to  be  made  before  printing  a  new  edition,  met  this 
afternoon,  and  made  considerable  progress. 

Sixth-month  1  to  3. — Our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  and  Quarterly 
Meeting  were  held.  The  Discipline  committee  having  passed  through 
the  book,  and  agreed  on  sundry  emendations,  and  some  alterations, 
referred  the  care  of  arranging  them  to  a  sub-committee. 

5th. — Second-day. — We  set  out  this  morning  at  nine  o'clock  a 


120 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1854. 


.M.  on  our  eastern  journey.  Our  daughter,  Hannah  Amelia,  also 
set  off  at  the  same  time,  on  a  visit  to  her  brother  and  sister  Ladd 
via  Cincinnati,  and  thence,  up  the  Ohio  river  to  Steubcnville. 
I  and  my  dear  wife  proceeded  directly  to  Dayton,  thence  to 
Sandusky,  thence  by  lake  shore  railroad  to  Cleveland,  where 
we  found  the  splendid  steamer  "St.  Lawrence"  waiting  for  our 
cars.  We  went  aboard  at  about  eight  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  the 
boat  was  moved  off  immediately  for  Buffalo.  We  passed  a  comfort- 
able night  on  the  boat,  in  her  progress  across  lake  Erie,  and  arrived 
at  Buffalo  next  morning  at  about  seven  o'clock  A.  M. 

gth. — At  nine  o'clock  we  took  the  cars  for  Niagara  Falls,  where 
we  passed  the  day.  At  this  wonderful  place,  there  is  much  to  in- 
terest and  entertain  the  thoughtful  mind.  The  awful  grandeur  and 
sublimity  of  the  scene,  afford  matter  for  deep  reflection.  My  dear 
wife  bad  not  seen  this  great  curiosity  before:  to  me,  the  sublime 
scene  and  ceaseless  roar  seemed  entirely  familiar,  the  impressions 
made  on  my  mind  in  1851,  having  been  so  deep  and  vivid.  We 
returned  to  Buffalo  in  the  evening. 

7th.  Proceeded  from  Buffalo,  by  the  New  York  Central  Rail- 
road to  Albany,  where  we  stopped. 

gt,h.  Enjoyed  a  walk  about  Albany  this  morning;  visited  the 

public  grounds  about  the  State-house  ;  ascended  to  the  top  of  the 
State-house,  where  we  had  a  fine  and  interesting  view  of  the  city 
and  neighborhood  ;  then  returning  to  our  hotel,  soon  set  off  for 
Boston. 

We  were  interested  in  the  country,  and  the  various  towns  through 
which  we  passed  on  our  way.  Dined  at  Springfield  ;  and  arrived 
at  Boston  about  five  o'clock  p.  M.  We  made  but  little  stay  here, 
proceeded  forwarded  pretty  soon  to  Lynn,  at  which  place  we  were 
kindly  entertained  by  our  beloved  friends  Samuel  Boyce  and  Eliza 
his  wife. 

9th.  Our  friend  Samuel  Boyce  most  kindly  took  us  to  Nahant, 

which  was  an  interesting  ride,  and  afforded  my  dear  wife  the  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing,  for  the  first  time,  the  great  ocean.  Returning,  we 
dined  with  our  friends  Nathan  and  Mary  Breed,  and  then  set  out 
for  Newport,  by  the  way  of  Boston  and  Fall  River.  We  spent,  per- 
haps, an  hour  in  Boston,  most  of  the  time  in  a  hack,  by  which  we 
were  enabled  to  see  considerable  of  the  city.  We  arrived  at  Nctt- 
port  in  the  evening,  and  stopped  with  our  friend  Mary  Wi^iii'vis, 


1854.]  LIFE_OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  121 

at  whose  house  we  had  an  agreeable  home  during  our  stay  at  New- 
port. 

10th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  began  at 
nine  o'clock,  which  we  attended — and  afterward  another  sitting  in 
the  afternoon.  The  accounts  rendered  by  Lindley  M.  Hoa^,  in 
writing,  and  by  Eli  and  Sybil  Jones,  verbally,  and  the  certificates 
and  documents  by  them  produced,  relative  to  their  visit  to  Europe, 
and  of  the  latter  to  Africa  and  Europe,  were  deeply  interesting 
and  moving.  The  account  of  Friends  in  Norway  is  very  remark- 
able. 

At  five  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  Meeting  for  Sufi'erings  was  held,  which 
I  attended. 

11th. — First-day. — Two  meetings  ;  both  large  and  orderly. 

12th. — Second-day. — Yearly  Meeting  convened  at  nine  o'clock 
A.  M.  Then  another  sitting  was  held  in  the  afternoon.  It  has  been 
estimated  that  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  persons  attend  these 
Meetings  for  Discipline.  I  should  think  the  number  was  under, 
rather  than  over  that,  this  year. 

The  Yearly  Sleeting  continued  from  day  to  day,  until  Sixth-day, 
the  16th,  when  it  closed. 

It  has  been  very  satisfactory  to  us  to  attend  this  Yearly  Meeting. 
We  have  felt  much  unity  and  fellowship  with  our  friends,  and  have 
been  received  and  treated  by  them'with  great  cordiality. 

On  Sixth-day  afternoon  we  went  to  Fall  River ;  home  with  our 
beloved  friends.  Jacob  and  Lucy  Alining.  Next  day  visited  several 
of  the  manuf;icturing  establishments,  and  dined  with  our  friends 
Elizabeth  Shove  and  daughter.  After  visiting  the  linen  mill  in  the 
afternoon,  we  went  to  New  Bedford. 

18th. — First-day. — I  was  sick  last  night,  and  not  able  to  go  to  the 
forenoon  meeting.  We  have  a  pleasant  home  with  our  dear  friend 
Susan  Rowland.  In  the  afternoon  attended  First-day  school,  con- 
ducted by  Henry  T.  Wood  and  others ;  afterward  meeting.  Then 
took  tea  with  Matthew  Ilowland  and  his  amiable  wife,  who  is  the 
daughter  of  Susan  R.  Smith,  who  also  was  present,  much  to  our 
satisfaction. 

19th. — Visited  a  whale  ship  by  the  kind  assistance  of  Cornelius 
Howland  ;  rode  around  New  Bedford  for  a  short  time  ;  made  a  short 
call  at  our  beloved  friend  Wm.  C.  Taber's;  then,  at  ten  o'clock  a. 
M.,  left  in  the  cars  for  Providence. 
9 


122 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1854. 


20th. — Staid  last  niglit  with  our  beloved  friends  John  and  Eliza- 
Loth  Meader,  after  having  taken  supper  with  our  beloved,  friends 
Samuel  Boyd  Tobey  and  Sarah  E.,  his  wife,  and  their  family.  To- 
day we -visited  the  boarding-school,  in  which  we  were  much  inter- 
ested. We  had  the  company  of  our  friends  Elizabeth  Sleader  and 
Sarah  B.  Tobey,  and  afterward  of  Dr.  S.  B.  Tobey.  Returned  to 
John  Header's,  and  rested  until  after  tea  in  the  evening ;  then  took 
the  railroad  cars  for  Stonington,  on  our  way  to  New  York.  We 
arrived  at  Stonington  at  about  three  v.  m.,  and  went  at  once  aboard 
of  the  steamer  for  New  York.  The  day  had  been  hot ;  it  was, 
therefore,  agreeable  to  find  the  air  of  the  sound  so  pleasant  and  re- 
freshing as  it  was. 

21st. — Arrived  safely  in  New  York  early,  and  went  to  the  house 
of  our  friend  David  Sands,  to  breakfast.  We  attended  Friends' 
meeting  in  New  York,  and  in  the  afternoon  visited  the  great  steam- 
ship "  Pacific,"  the  Colored  Orphan  Asylum  and  the  Crystal 
Palace.  We  returned  to  David  Sands',  and  passed  a  pleasant  even- 
ing with  several  friends  who  came  in. 

22d. — Left  New  York  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  by  railroad,  across 
New  Jersey,  for  Philadelphia,  at  which  place  we  arrived  about  one 
o'clock  p.  M.  We  staid  with  our  friend  Isaac  Collins.  Took  sup- 
per with  A.  M.  Kimber  and  wife,  where  we  had  the  company  of 
Enoch  Lewis  and  some  others.  Called  for  a  few  minutes  in  the 
afternoon,  to  see  our  beloved  friends  Thomas  Evans  and  wife. 

23d. — Left  at  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  for  Pittsburg,  ^y  the  central 
Pennsylvania  route.  This  is  a  very  interesting  route  to  travel. 
We  pass  through  a  finely-improved  country  until  we  come  to  the 
mountains ;  then  the  ascent  to  cross  the  mountains,  the  tunnel  and 
the  fine  prospects  connected  with  the  route  in  various  places,  can 
not  fail  to  interest  the  mind  of  the  traveler.  We  arrived  at  Pitts- 
burg about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

24th. — After  breakfast  we  had  a  walk  about  town  ;  then  went  to 
a  boat  which  was  to  descend  the  Ohio,  and  left  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 
for  Steubenville.  From  Steubenville,  we  went  by  carriage  to  llich- 
mond,  0.,  and  thence  to  the  residence  of  our  children  Wm.  H.  and 
Caroline  E.  Ladd,  with  whom,  and  our  daughter  Hannah  A.,  who 
was  there,  we  were  gratified  to  meet,  and  find  in  good  health. 

28th. — Having  staid  a  few  days  with  our  dear  children,  we  set 
out  about  noon  to-day  homeward,  our  daughter  H.  with  us.  To 


1854.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


123 


Hammondsville  by  carriage  ;  our  friend  Robert  Talbott  with  us. 
Thence  by  railway  to  Cleveland,  where  we  staid  at  the  American 
House,  a  comfortable  hotel. 

29th. — A  little  walk  about  town  before  breakfast ;  then  soon  after, 
to  the  cars  for  Sandusky,  by  the  way  of  the  lake  shore.  We  were 
at  Sandusky  at  half-past  eleven  ;  at  Dayton  at  five  ;  and  at  home  at 
seven  o'clock  p.  m.  It  was  truly  pleasant  to  arrive  at  our  own 
dear  home.  I  believe  that  we  are  sensible  that  much  sincere  grate- 
fulness of  heart  is  due  from  us  to  the  Maker  of  Heaven  and  l!]arth, 
and  Supreme  Ruler  of  all  that  he  has  made,  for  his  mercy  and 
goodness  to  us,  and  the  fiivors  we  have  had,  in  the  performance  of 
this  long  and  interesting  journey. 

My  dear  wife's  health,  though  imperfect,  is  better  than  when  we 
set  out.  Our  daughter  Hannah  A.  has  enjoyed  her  visit  to  her 
sister  and  sister's  husband  and  their  family  much  ;  and  returns 
delighted  with  it. 

The  review  of  our  journey  to  New  England,  and  our  visit  to  our 
friends  where  we  went,  their  kindness,  affection  and  fellowship,  ap- 
pears pleasant  and  sweet  to  us. 

Seventh-month. — Previously  to  leaving  home  upon  our  journey  to 
New  England,  I  had  entered  into  an  agreement  with  John  B.  Posey, 
to  build  a  dwelling-house  for  me  and  my  family,  on  Washington 
street,  in  Richmond,  near  our  present  dwelling,  with  a  view  to  oc- 
cupy it,  and  for  our  son  Charles  and  his  family  to  take  possession 
and  occui3y  the  house  where  we  noAV  live.  J.  B.  P.  has  made  some 
progress  with  the  building  in  our  absence. 

The  weather  during  the  summer  thus  far,  has  been  noted  for 
being  very  warm  ;  the  average  degree  of  health  appears  to  have 
been  quite  about  the  usual  average. 

Fears  were  entertained  that  the  wheat  crop  would  be  very  far 
short  of  the  usual  product,  say  not  exceeding  half ;  but  it  turns  out 
better  than  was  anticipated. 

The  general  health  in  this  vicinity  is  very  good. 

Eighth-montli. — During  last  month  and  the  present,  I  have  been 
closely  engaged  in  my  usual  occupation  in  my  office  at  the  Branch 
of  the  State  Bank.  My  physical  strength  has  not  been  large,  yet 
weak  in  body  as  I  am,  I  have  been  permitted  to  enjoy  pretty  good 
health,  and  have  been  enabled  to  get  through  with  a  good  deal  of 
business. 


124 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFEE. 


[1854. 


Our  new  dwelling-house  still  progresses.  The  we!lther  is  still 
remarkably  hot,  and  a  general  drought  prevails.  It  is  believed  the 
crop  of  corn  must  be  greatly  shortened  thereby. 

20th. — First-day. — On  this  day,  in  meeting  time,  an  awful  and 
thrilling  event  occurred  at  Milford  ;  the  clothing  of  our  dear  friend 
Margaret  White  having  taken  fire,  by  which  she  was  so  sadly  burned 
that  she  died  in  the  evening.  A  general  feeling  of  sympathy  and 
sorrow  jirevails  among  her  numerous  friends  and  acquaintance. 

22d. — The  funeral  of  our  friend  Margaret  White  took  place  to- 
day ;  after  which,  a  solemn  meeting  was  held.    We  were  present. 

23d. — Monthly  Meeting.  Our  friend  Wm.  G.  Johnson  from 
North  Carolina,  was  present.    He  staid  with  us  over  the  night. 

Ninth-montli  4. — -Elizabeth  Meader,  and  her  companions,  Thomas 
S.  Gilford  and  Ruth,  his  wife,  now  engaged  in  a  religious  visit  in 
these  parts,  arrived  at  our  house  this  morning.  We  are  glad  to 
give  them  a  cordial  reception. 

5th. — They  went  forward  intending  to  attend  the  meetings  of 
Spieeland  Quarterly  Meeting,  or  a  part  of  them. 

7th. — We  commenced  removing  into  our  new  house  to-day. 
On  the  10th,  the  decease  of  our  dear  friend  AVilliam  Hobbs  took 
place. 

Ninth-month  14. — We  have  had  many  cares  and  perplexities  in 
getting  removed  and  settled  in  our  new  house  :  yet  a  good  Provi- 
dence has  blessed  us  ia  health,  and  we  feel  as  comfortable  as  we 
could  at  all  expect,  in  our  new  home. 

The  weather  has  been  very  dry  for  some  time  past,  and  the  crops 
of  corn,  Irish  potatoes,  and  some  other  vegetables,  are  thereby  made 
to  come  much  short  of  what  they  otherwise  would. 

23d. — We  have  been  much  engaged  in  arranging  and  fixing  np 
our  premises,  in  connection  with  our  ordinary  calling. 

25th. — Our  friends  Elizabeth  Meader  and  her  companions  have 
returned,  preparatory  to  attending  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

2Tth. — The  committee  on  the  Discipline  met  this  morning.  The 
emendations,  etc.  were  read,  and  settled  upon  ;  "and  a  report  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting  adopted.  The  first  public  Meeting  for  Worship 
held  as  a  part  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  was  held  at  the  usual  hour 
to-day,  and  pretty  largely  attended.  The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Min- 
isters and  Elders,  and  the  Meeting  for  Suiferings  held  their 


1854.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


125 


first  sittings  yesterday,  in  harmony  and  much  good  feeling.  The 
Indian  committee  met  in  the  afternoon  to-day,  as  usual. 

Ninth-month  28. — Fifth-day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  convened  to- 
day, largely  attended.  Our  friends  Elizabeth  Header,  Nathaniel 
Sands,  John  Scott  and  William  Gr.  Johnson,  in  atteniance  ;  also 
Thomas  S.  Gitford  and  lluth  B.,  his  wife,  companions  to  E.  Header. 
The  usual  business  of  the  first  sitting  was  transacted.  Two  epistles 
are  received  from  Ohio,  showing  that  a  separation  has  taken  place 
in  that  Yearly  Heeting.  A  joint  committee  of  men  and  women 
Friends  were  appointed  to  take  the  documents  under  consideration, 
and  report  to  next  sitting. 

29th. — The  committee  made  report  in  favor  of  recognizing  as 
Ohio  Yearly  Heeting,  that  body  of  which  Jonathan  Binns  is  clerk, 
which  was  very  fully  united  with,  and  adopted  without  dissent. 

The  meeting  progressed  with  its  business  in  much  good  feeling 
and  Christian  condescension,  until  the  afternoon  of  Third-day, 
Tenth-month  3,  when  it  came  to  a  solemn  close. 

The  proposed  revision  of  the  Discipline,  including  the  emenda- 
tions, alterations  and  additions,  was  agreed  to,  and  ten  thousand 
copies  of  the  book  were  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Our  friend  Nathaniel  Sands,  accompanied  by  his  son  David  Sands, 
and  Paulina,  his  wife,  from  New  York,  who  did  not  reach  here  on 
the  day  of  the  Heeting  of  Hinisters  and  Elders,  arrived  on  Fourth- 
day  morning,  the  27th,  and  attended  afterward. 

A  request  for  a  new  Yearly  Meeting  was  entertained,  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed  to  visit  those  making  the  request,  in  regard 
thereto. 

Hany  other  matters  of  interest  were  acted  upon  in  much  unity 
and  brotherly  feeling. 

Tenth-month  8. — Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  the 
heart-touching  intelligence  reached  us,  of  the  loss  at  sea  of  the 
great  steamship  "  Arctic,"  with  about  four  hundred  persons  on 
board,  who  all  perished,  excepting  perhaps  about  fifty.  Among 
those  who  perished  were  our  dear  and  valued  friend  3Iahlon  Day 
of  New  York,  and  his  wife  and  daughter.  We  have  been  deeply 
moved  at  this  affecting  intelligence,  confirmed  as  it  is  by  sundrj' 
statements  appearing  for  several  days  in  succession. 

21st. — I  have  been  out  this  week  on  a  journey  to  the  west,  on 
the  business  of  the  bank.    Went  on  the  first  day  by  railway  to 


126 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1854 


Terrc  Haute ;  thence  by  private  conveyance  next  day,  toward  Vin- 
cennes ;  staid  at  a  village  called  Carlisle,  near  the  Shaker  Prairie, 
and  reached  Vineennes  a  little  before  noon  next  day;  then  in  the 
afternoon  by  railroad  to  Evansville  ;  next  day  back  again,  on  the 
same  route,  to  Vineennes,  and  so  on,  to  Terre  Haute,  and  home. 
The  weather  has  been  fine,  and  the  trip  interesting,  refreshing  and) 
in  general,  agreeable. 

The  weather  is  very  fine  this  month.  Our  business  at  the  bank 
is  laborious  and  confining.  The  amount  of  business  is  greater,  and 
the  financial  difficulties  now  in  the  country,  make  the  management 
more  laborious. 

Eleventk-monih  30. — Since  the  last  date  above,  I  have  been  at 
home,  blessed  and  in  good  health,  and  exceedingly  engnged  in  my 
outward  occupation  at  the  bank.  The  printing  of  the  Minutes  of 
our  late  Yearly  Meeting,  and  of  our  Discipline,  have  engaged  a 
portion  of  my  attention  and  labor.  The  weather  has  in  general 
been  mild  for  the  season. 

Our  beloved  friend  Nathan  C.  Hoag  died  on  the  2Gth,  and  was 
buried  on  the  28th  inst.  By  the  death  of  this  beloved  brother,  and 
our  dear  and  valued  friend  and  relation,  and  brother  in  the  truth, 
William  Hobbs,  who  departed  this  life  on  the  10th  of  the  Ninth- 
month,  we  have  lost  two  valuable  Elders  and  fathers  in  the  Church. 
They  were  both  believers  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  embraced 
the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  as  they  are  revealed  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  preached  them  to  others,  endeavoring  at  the  same  time 
to  make  their  own  lives  conformable  thereto.  William  Hobbs  was 
a  Friend  of  good  abilities,  and  by  his  good  Christian  example  had 
great  influence,  which  was  still  more  extended  by  his  labors  of  love, 
and  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  while  in  the  station  of  Elder.  In 
the  latter  part  of -his  life,  he  was  acknowledged  and  recorded  as  a 
Minister,  and  traveled  considerably  in  that  capacity.  Nathan  C. 
Hoag  was  an  able  and  gifted  minister  of  the  New  Testament,  who 
traveled  very  extensively  in  America.  They  were  both  men  whose 
thorough  soundness  in  the  Christian  faith,  procured  for  them  the 
respect  of  sound  Christian  people  of  other  professions,  where  they 
became  known.  William  Hobbs  was  buried  at  Spiceland,  and 
Nathan  C.  Hoag  at  Carthage. 

Twdfth-month  14. — We  have  now  examined  the  last  proof  sheets 
of  the  Discipline,  including  the  index  to  the  work,  prepared  by  my- 


1855.]  LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  127 

self.  It  is  expected  tliat  the  printing  will  be  finished  this  week.  I 
believe  that  our  Discipline  is  greatly  improved  by  this  revision,  and 
by  the  additions  which  it  has  received.  Some  dissatisfaction  was 
expressed  in  the  Yearly  Meeting  with  that  portion  relating  to  loss 
of  the  right  of  membership  by  going  out  in  marriage.  I  was  m 
favor  of  it  as  it  now  stands  in  the  revised  work,  and  hope  it  may 
have  a  fair  trial.  If,  in  practice,  it  should  not  be  found  to  work 
weU,  it  can  be  altered  ;  and  this  was  the  view  the  Yearly  Meeting 
took  of  it.  The  introduction  into  the  forepart  of  our  book,  of  our 
Declarations  of  Christian  Faith,  appears  to  be  very  satisfactory  to 
Friends.  The  additions  in  regard  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  First- 
day  of  the  week,  and  some  other  points,  also  afford  much  satis- 
faction. 

Our  boarding-school  is  progressing  under  the  administration 
of  our  beloved  friend  David  Hunt,  to  quite  as  good,  if  not  better 
satisfaction,  than  heretofore.  The  number  is  nearly  seventy :  and  the 
scholars  in  attendance  are  mostly  pretty  well  advanced  to  the  growth 
and  age  of  young  men  and  women.  It  is  always  interesting  to  one's 
feelings  to  visit  them  and  be  among  them.  The  buildings  are  pro- 
gressing finely.  The  walls  of  the  new  parts  are  now  up,  and  the 
roof  is  in  progress.  It  is  a  (/)'eat  addition  to  the  appearance,  and 
will  be  still  greater  to  the  convenience,  and  we  may  hope,  %isefulmss 
of  the  Institution  to  have  these  buildings  finished. 

I  am  not  now  a  member  of  the  boarding-school  committee,  but  I 
attended,  and  heard  the  Scripture  reading  on  the  last  First-day  morn- 
ing in  the  girls'  department. 

Twelfth-niDntli  15. — Attended  Friend's  school,  at  Rich-square, 
John  Macy,  teacher;  nearly  seventy  scholars;  a  profitable  school, 
I  have  no  doubt.  My  dear  wife  and  several  members  of  the  branch 
committee  and  of  their  Monthly  Meeting  committee  were  in  at- 
tendance.   Staid  at  Joel  Johnson's,  much  to  our  satisfaction. 

Second-month  3,  1855— We  were  thoughtful  yesterday,  that  it 
was  the  date  of  our  marriage  union,  in  one  thousand  eight  hun- 
dred and  twenty,  so  that  we  have  now  been  permitted  to  live  to- 
gether, in  this  state  thirty-five  years.  We  are  made  to  know  in 
various  ways,  of  the  increase  of  age  upon  us.  Gray  hairs  are 
appearing,  and  we  are  not  able  to  bear  the  same  endurance  of  la- 
bor, physical  or  mental,  that  we  have  been  equal  to  in  earlier  life. 
But  in  the  goodness  of  a  gracious  Providence,  wc  have,  for  a  long 


128 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


1855.] 


time  past,  been  blessed  with  many  outward  comforts,  and  are  still 
in  the  enjoyment  of  them.  These  we  desire  to  commemorate,  and 
that  our  hearts  may  be  duly  sensible  of,  and  truly  thankful  for. 
Moreover  we  have  been  permitted,  greatly  unworthy  as  we  have 
been,  to  enjoy  much  sweetness  of  religious  fellowship  together,  and 
with  others  in  the  church,  a  favor  greatly  adding  to  our  comfort  and 
happiness,  and  no  less  calling  for  the  gratefulness  of  our  hearts  than 
outward  blessings. 

The  fore  part  of  the  present  winter  was  very  mild  for  this  cli- 
mate ;  but  during  the  two  weeks  past,  we  have  had  real  winter. 
An  unusual  quantity  of  snow  has  fallen,  and  now  lies  at  a  consider- 
able depth.  The  mercury  was  at  one  time  about  two  degrees  below 
zero.  This  morning  it  was  two  degrees  above  zero.  Vegetables 
are  scarce,  this  season,  and  provisions  dear.  Flour  is  four  dol- 
lars the  hundred  pounds;  meal  fifty  to  sixty  cents  per  bushel; 
beef  six  and  a  quarter ;  Irish  potatoes  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents 
per  bushel. 

My  dear  wife  has  been  reading  to  us  of  evenings,  the  Memoirs  of 
J oseph  John  Guerney ;  a  work  which  has  been  instructive  and  edify- 
ing, as  well  as  very  entertaining. 

On  the  29tli  ultimo,  we  held  the  regular  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
our  book  and  tract  committee,  snowy  and  inclement  as  the  day 
was ;  and  had  an  agreeable  and  comforting  time  together. 

Our  new  Dicipline  is  now  published,  and  has  been  adopted  into 
force  by  our  Monthly  Meeting. 

The  accounts  that  have  come  to  us  this  winter  of  the  awful  fight- 
ing, in  the  fall,  of  the  combined  armies  of  Turkey,  England  and 
France,  against  those  of  Russia,  at  Scbastopol,  and  in  that  region, 
are  truly  aifecting. 

I  have  received  very  sweet  letters  from  my  beloved  friends  Sam- 
uel Boyd  Tobey,  Josiah  Forster,  Samuel  Boyce  and  John  Candler. 
Truly,  it  is  cordial  to  have  these  testimonials  of  love  and  fellowship 
from  distant  brothers  in  the  same  faith  and  hope. 

11th. — We  have  steady  winter  weather,  with  much  snow  on  the 
ground.  Sleighs  have  been  running  with  much  facility  for  some 
time  past. 

Our  friend  Thomas  Lamb  was  run  over  by  a  locomotive  on  the 
railway,  on  Fourth-day  afternoon,  the  seventh,  by  which  he  was  so 
badly  injured  that  he  expired  in  a  short  time.    He  was  buried  on 


1855.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  129 

Sixth-day  moniiuj,  the  ninth.  A  fresh  warning  to  the  living  to  be 
fit  for  sudden  death. 

My  dear  wife  is  gone  to  Corwin  to  visit  our  children  there,  and 
expects  to  attend  Miami  Quarterly  Meeting. 

I  am  making  some  progress  with  my  Scripture  exercises  on  Gen- 
esis. We  are  still  reading  together,  of  evenings,  the  Memoirs  of 
our  beloved  friend  Joseph  John  Guerney,  greatly  to  our  interest 
and  edification. 

James  Bowden's  second  volume  of  liis  History  of  Friends  in 
America,  is  received,  and  I  am  making  some  progress  in  read- 
ing it. 

Those  most  closely  connected  with  Ehjah  Coffin  were  daily 
observers  of  his  tender  conscience  and  kind  fceling.s,  his 
uniform  example  of  affectionate  attention,  with  the  gentle- 
manly bearing  and  dignity  of  character  which  were  manifest 
in  his  social  and  rehgious,  as  well  as  in  his  business  relations, 
and  so  adorned  his  whole  demeanor  that  they  won  for  him  the 
confidence,  love  and  esteem  of  his  family,  his  friends  and 
the  public;  yet  he  was  "a  man  of  like  passions  as  we  are," 
and  had  the  same  frailties  of  human  nature  to  contend 
with,  the  same  causes  for  humihation  and  penitence  at  the 
footstool  of  mercy,  that  have  marked  the  progress  of  the 
Christian  since  the  "fall  of  man."'  The  following  touching 
praj'er  evinces  the  faithful  record  which  he  kept  of  the 
state  of  his  mind,  and  the  daily  watchfulness  which  he  main- 
tained over  his  conduct  and  expressions, 

Second-month  IG. — Kemember  me,  O  God,  in  thy  mercy,  and 
cast  me  not  away.  I  acknowledge  thy  continued  good  and  unmer- 
ited kindness  toward  me,  unworthy  as  I  am.  Thou  givest  me  much 
happiness  by  day  and  by  night.  Thou  givest  me  excellent  health, 
and  those  enjoyments  which  it  enables  me  to  take  and  relish.  Thou 
givest  me  food  to  the  extent  of  my  desire.  Thou  givest  me  cloth- 
ing, neat,  comfortable,  and  plentiful,  and  all  that  I  could  wish. 
Thou  givest  me  great  domestic  felicity  with  my  family,  in  my  home 


130 


LIFE  OF    ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


and  with  my  friends.  And  yet,  amidst  all  these  blessings,  my  dis- 
position and  my  conduct  has  fallen  fir  short  of  being  what  it  (should 
be.  I  have  frequently  been  fretful  in  temper  and  in  words,  in  my 
own  family.  I  have  frequentl}'  shown  something  of  the  same  to 
others,  with  whom  I  have  had  intercourse,  thereby  wounding  their 
feelings,  and  discrediting  my  own  profession  before  them,  and  in 
thy  sight.  I  fear  I  have  sometimes  been  wanting  in  generosity, 
and  in  sufficient  hospitality  and  kindness  to  my  friends.  Enable 
me,  0  Lord  !  to  repent,  thoroughly,  for  all  those  sins,  and  every 
other.  0  God!  forgive  mo  !  In  the  greatness  of  thy  mercy  pass 
by  and  blot  out  all  my  transgressions,  and  ren)ember  my  sins  no 
more.  Let  all  the  sins  of  my  youth  be  forgotten  before  thee. 
Pardon  nie,  in  mercy,  for  Christ's  sake.  Cover  up  my  errors  in 
the  face  of  my  people,  and  those  whom  I  have  offended,  and  cause 
them  to  forgive  and  forget  everything  which  has  been  sinful  or 
improper.  But,  good  and  holy  One  i  keep  me  in  vivid  remem- 
brance of  my  many  transgressions  and  weakness,  as  a  continued 
warning  for  the  future.  0  give  me  thy  Holy  Spirit  plentifully,  ac- 
cordinglj'  as  thou  mayst  see  fit  for  me.  Help  me  to  be  humble 
before  thee,  and  before  all  men.  Help  me  to  be  deeply  grateful 
to  thee  for  thy  everlasting  goodness  and  mercj',  through  Jesus 
Christ,  my  Lord.  Amen. 

Third-month  2. — Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at 
Milford.  We  had  a  good  meeting,  truly  encouraging  and  edifying 
because  of  the  evidence,  which  was  so  sensibly  felt  over  the  meet- 
ing, that  the  Good  Spirit  was  there. 

In  the  afternoon  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  "Whitewater  auxili- 
ary Bible  association  was  held.  It  was  a  good  time.  The  best 
spirit  prevailed,  and  the  meeting  ended  in  much  satisfaction. 

3d. — ^Ye  heard  this  morning  of  the  decease  of  our  dear,  long- 
loved,  and  valued  friend  Anna  Moore,  widow  of  Thomas  Moore. 
The  event  was  not  unexpected — yet  it  is  very  solemn.  I  have  the 
best  hope  that  her  end  is  peace.  She  has  long  been  an  apprbved 
Minister  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  in  which  I  think  she  was  a  be- 
liever sincerely  and  unreservedly. 

We  had  a  satisfactory  Quarterly  Meeting  to-day.  Most  of  the 
3Ionthly  Meetings  have  received  and  adopted  the  new  Discipline. 

5th. — We  attended  the  burial  of  our  dear  friend  Anna  Moore,  at 
Milford.    A  solemn  meeting  was  held  previously  to  the  interment. 


1855.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIX. 


131 


Fouvth-month  20. — We  were  truly  gladdened  by  tlie  arrival  of 
our  two  very  dear  daughters,  Caroline  and  Mary,  on  a  visit.  Caro- 
line appears  to  be  in  fine  health,  and  JMary  in  her  usual  health.  It 
gave  us  great  pleasure  to  receive  them. 

21st.  —  We  attended  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting  at  Nettle 
Creek  ;  our  friend  Levi  Jessup  with  us ;  went  with  others,  being- 
appointed  to  the  service  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting's  branch  com- 
mittee on  education.  On  First-day  morning,  the  22d,  we  attended 
their  Scripture  school  at  the  same  place — then  meeting.  In  the 
afternoon  we  visited  the  Scripture  school  at  West  River. 

28th. — Our  dear  William  manifests  a  decided  inclination  to  re- 
move to  Kansas — and  has  sold  his  farm  near  Milton,  with  that  in- 
tent. We  are  much  concerned  about  him  and  his  dear  family,  in 
regard  thereto.  It  would  be  much  more  satisfactory  to  us,  if  they 
could  see  their  way  clear  to  remain  near  us,  in  this  part  of  the 
country. 

Fiftli-montli  1. — We  hear  that  our  dear  William  is  setting  oif 
about  this  time,  without  his  family,  intending  first  to  go  and  see 
Kansas  again,  and  also  see  whether  he  can  arrange  to  suit  himself. 

Our  dear  Caroline  started  homeward  to-day- — Mary  having  gone 
a  few  days  before.    Their  visit  has  been  very  cordial  to  us. 

Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction  was  ojDencd  on 
the  15th  of  last  month,  with  eighty-seven  scholars.  We  were  not 
looking  for  so  large  an  attendance  at  first.  On  the  22d,  over  one 
hundred  attended  ;  and  nearly  one  hundred  on  the  29th.  It  is  a 
great  but  interesting  charge. 

Our  dear  Hannah  Amelia  is  in  the  boarding-school  this  session, 
and  appears  to  be  in  fine  health  and  spirits. 

We  have  finished  reading  the  Memoirs  of  Joseph  John  Guerney ; 
a  work  in  which  we  have  been  deeply  interested,  and  much  edified. 
T^e  are  now  reading  the  Life  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  by  Susannah  Corder. 
She  was  indeed  a  most  extraordinary  woman,  greatly  gifted,  and  a 
remarkable  instrument  for  good. 

Sixth-month  4. — We  have  as  yet  had  very  little  hot  weather  this 
year ;  but  vegetation  is  progressing  pretty  rapidly,  and  we  have 
been  blessed  with  fine  rains. 

Our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  and  Quarterly  Meeting  are  just  past. 
We  have  certainly  had  a  favored  time  together.    Our  friends  George 


132 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


Carter  and  Thomas  Arnett,  both  Ministers  of  years  and  much  ex- 
perience were  present,  and  had  acceptable  service.  On  j-esterday 
(First-day),  in  public  Meeting  for  Worship,  our  younger  friends 
Daniel  H.  Hutchins  and  Ellwood  Ozbun,  were  both  extensively  en- 
gaged, and  with  moving  effect. 

9th. — We  have  received  letters  from  our  dear  William  in  Kansas, 
wliicli  relieve  us  of  considerable  anxiety  on  his  account,  having  heard 
that  there  was  cholera  on  the  Missouri  River.  He  gives  a  very 
favorable  account  of  the  country — and  a  better  prospect  that  slavery 
will  not  be  admitted  into  it,  than  we  were  expecting.  But  he  re- 
serves much  for  future  information. 

We  bear  to-day  that  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  London  has  accepted 
the  epistle  from  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  Ohio,  of  which  Jonathan 
Binns  is  clerk,  the  same  body  which  we  have  recognized  as  the 
true  Yearly  Meeting.  This  intelligence  is  truly  comfortable  to  us, 
but  we  must  keep  low. 

The  Yearly  Meeting,  in  New  York,  just  past,  has,  as  we  had  ex- 
pected, accepted  correspondence  from  the  same  meeting. 

lltli. — By  a  letter  received  to-day  from  my  beloved  friend  John 
Allen,  the  account  of  the  decision  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  London 
is  confirmed.  This  seems  to  us  as  truly  good  news  from  a  foreign 
land.  While  I  ought  to  be  thankful,  and  to  endeavor  to  dwell  in 
great  humility^  lest  some  improper  feeling  of  exaltation  should  creep 
in,  I  entertain  the  hope  and  confidence  that  this  decision  will  tend 
much  toward  the  settlement  of  the  Society  in  this  country,  as  well 
as  in  Europe ;  and  have  some  effect  in  staying  the  plague  of  jealousy, 
stiffness,  and  division,  which  have  obtained  too  much  place  in  some 
parts. 

12th. — A  Public  Meeting  was  held  last  evening,  numerously  at- 
tended, to  demonstrate  the  public  joy,  at  the  passage  of  the  total 
prohibition  Liquor  Law,  and  to  make  provision  for  having  it  carried 
into  effect  in  this  town  and  vicinity.  An  excellent  feeling  prevailed. 
The  law  goes  into  operation  to-day. 

We  hare  had  profuse  rains.  All  vegetation  is  progressing 
rapidly. 

David  Hampton  died  of  cholera  to-day,  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M. 
Sevenfh-vionth  12. — Our  son  Charles  and  bis  wife  get  off  this 
morning  on  a  journey  eastward,  intending  to  proceed  by  the  way 


1855.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COmN. 


133 


of  Buffalo  and  Niagara  Falls,  across  Lake  Ontario,  to  Montreal ; 
thence  to  Boston,  New  York,  Pluladclpliia,  and  other  places. 
Although  my  cares  and  labors  will,  no  doubt,  be  greatly  increased 
during  Charles'  absence,  I  am  glad  for  them  to  have  the  relaxation, 
entertainment  and  instruction  which,  it  is  hoped,  this  journey  may 
afford  them. 

20th.: — We  have  received  interesting  letters  from  our  son  William, 
in  Kansas.  He  has  purchased  a  claim  eleven  miles  west  of  Leaven- 
worth, and  is  preparing  a  dwelling,  and  for  farming. 

The  weather  here  is  now  extremely  hot.  On  the  18th,  the 
mercury  stood  at  ninety-six  degrees.  Wheat  harvesT  has  been 
progi'essing.  Wheat  is  said  to  he  remarkably  good,  both  as  to 
quality  and  the  amount  yielded.  Irish  potatoes  are  also  remark- 
ably good ;  they  never  grew  better,  perhaps,  in  this  country.  The 
products  of  the  meadows  are  also  very  fine ;  and  the  oats  crop  is 
excellent.  Corn  also  promises  well;  so  that  it  is  said  all  the  crops 
are  uncommonly  good.  There  is  much  to  call  forth  our  devout 
gratitude  for  the  many  blessings  with  which  our  happy  country  is 
so  highly  favored.  Good  general  health,  among  the  rest,  though 
one  of'  the  best,  is  enjoyed  by  the  citizens. 

We  are  nearly  through  the  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth  Fry,  In  which 
we  have  been  greatly  interested  and  edified. 

23d. — My  beloved  wife  set  off  this  morning  to  join  other  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  of  our  last  Yearly  Meeting,  to  visit  the 
Quarterly  Meetings  of  Blue  River,  Union,  Western,  Whitelick, 
and  Concord,  on  their  request,  for  the  establishment  of  a  new 
Yearly  Meeting. 

Eic/hth-month  4. — -The  weather  has  continued  very  warm,  and  we 
have  had  much  wet. 

Our  son  Charles,  and  Rhoda  his  wife,  returned  this  morning 
from  their  long  visit  to  the  eastward,  in  good  health,  and  thankful 
for  their  favors. 

We  hear  to-day  that  our  son  AVilllam  has  also  returned  home 
from  Kansas  to  hi.s  family. 

In  the  evening,  after  the  foregoing  was  written,  our  dear  children, 
William  and  Sarah,  came  in  on  a  visit,  much  to  our  rejoicing. 
William  appears  very  well  after  his  long  journey,  and  comes  home 
with  a  high  opinion  of  Kansas,  as  a  beautiful,  productive  and 
healthful  new  country. 


LIFE  OF  ELI.JAU  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


13th. — ]\Iy  dear  wife  is  still  absent  with  the  Yearly  Meeting's 
committee,  on  their  visit  to  the  five  Quarterly  Meetings.  We  have 
been  favored  with  health  and  as  large  a  share  of  happiness  as  we 
ought  to  expect.  How  are  we  continually  reminded  by  tlic  favors 
we  have  of  the  gratitude  wliich  should  flow  in  our  hearts  toward 
the  Good  Giver  of  our  blessings. 

The  weather  has  still  continued  wet,  and  tlie  vegetation  is  extra- 
ordinary. I  can  not  remember  ever  to  have  seen  a  season  that 
favored  almost  all  productions  so  remarkably. 

I  liave  been  so  incessantly  employed  in  our  ordinary  business, 
that  my  progress  in  my  Scripture  Exercises  on  Genesis  has  been 
slow.  I  have,  however,  made  some  progress;  and  if  life  and  ability 
be  continued,  hope  to  get  through  this  book  soon. 

I  biave  been  reading  Marcy's  Exploration  of  the  lied  Pviver,  and 
am  now  engaged  in  the  Explorations  of  the  Amazon,  which  works 
afford  me  entertainment  at  intervals  not  otherwise  taken  up. 

25tli. — This  day  is  Concord  Quarterly  Meeting.  My  wife  hav- 
ing returned  home  from  Whitelick  for  a  little  rest,  we  proceeded 
together,  by  railway,  to  attend  this  meeting.  AVe  have  found  the 
meeting  to  be  a  large  one,  and  the  body  of  Friends  composing  it,  to 
be  an  interesting  one.  It  has  afforded  me  interest  and  satisfaction  to 
attend  not  only  their  Quarterly  Meeting,  but  the  Meeting  of  Minis- 
ters and  Elders,  and  their  education,  African,  and  book  and  tract 
committees,  and  their  Bible  Meeting. 

We  returned  home  on  Second-day  morning  the  28th. 

Ninlh-monih  12. — Our  central  book  and  tract  committee,  at 
their  last  meeting,  having  had  the  subject  before  them,  of  issuing 
a  tract  containing  a  brief  Sfafvmcnt  of  our  Christian  JJoclrincx,  the 
care  of  compiling  such  a  tract  has  rested  much  upon  me.  Having 
compiled  and  arranged  the  matter  for  such  a  tract,  the  committee 
held  a  meeting  to-day  to  hear  it.  and  judge  of  its  suitableness. 
After  the  reading  and  considerable  discussion,  and  some  emendations, 
the  tract  was  approved,  and  directed  to  be  forwarded  to  our  Meet- 
ing for  Sufferings.    A  very  good  spirit  prevailed. 

22d'. — I  have  finished  my  Scripture  Exercises  on  the  Book  of 
Genesis,  preparatory  to  going  to  press.  It  has  given  me  much  in- 
teresting labor.  I  hope  it  may  be  printed  this  fall,  and  do  some 
good  in  helping  forward  the  good  work  for  which  it  is  made  out. 
This  is  my  object.  ^  ,  _ 


1855.1 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


135 


Our  beloved  children,  \Ym.  II.  and  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  caniC  in 
this  evening  on  a  visit  of  a  few  days.  It  was  joyful  to  us  to  meet 
them  in  good  health  and  spirits. 

2-l.th. — To-day  the  public  school  was  opened  in  the  Union  school- 
house,  in  Richmond.  The  school  is  opened  under  promising  cir- 
cumstances, superintended  by  J.  Hurty,  with  about  five  hundred 
in  attendance. 

24th. — Having  entertained  for  a  long  time,  a  desire  to  visit  our 
native  country  of  North  Carolina,  and  attend  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  Friends  in  that  state,  my  wife  and  myself  laid  the  prospect  be- 
fore our  Monthly  Meeting  to-day,  and  received  the  unity  and  con- 
currence of  our  friends  therein,  and  a  minute  was  made  out  ex- 
pressive thereof,  a  copy  of  which  was  supplied  to  us. 

2Gth. — We  set  6fF  upon  our  journey  this  morning  at  half  past' 
ten  o'clock,  by  railroad,  and  passed  Dayton,  Xenia,  Columbus  and 
Newark  to  Zanesville,  where  we  took  supper  about  dark.  Thence 
to  the  Ohio  Kiver  at  Bellair,  and  by  steamboat  across  to  the  Balti- 
more and  Ohio  Eailroad,  below  Wheeling.  We  proceeded  during 
the  night  across  the  mountains,  and  came  to  Cumberland  early  on 
the  27th  :  thence  by  the  same  road  to  Baltimore,  whore  we  arrived 
about  five  o'clock  P.  M.  It  was  truly  pleasant  to  meet  with  a  cor- 
dial reception  at  the  house  of  oar  dear  friend.  Doctor  II.  II.  Thomas, 
where  we  staid. 

28th. — First-doy. — Attended  meeting  in  Baltimore,  both  in  the 
morning  and  afternoon.  Visited  our  beloved  friend  Ilugli  Balder- 
ston  and  family  in  the  evening. 

29th. — In  attempting  to  go  forward  upon  our  journey  to  the 
southward  this  morning,  the  carriage  in  which  we  rode  to  the  rail- 
road depot,  was  upset,  and  we  were  shocked  and  somewhat  bruised. 
But  we  had  cause  of  gratefulness  for  preservation  from  worse  in- 
juries. After  returning  and  lying  by  quietly  for  a  while,  we  pro- 
ceeded at  three  o'clock  p.  3i.  to  Washington. 

It  was  so  late  in  the  afternoon  when  we  reached  Washington, 
that  we  had  but  little  time  by  daylight  to  see  the  city  and  the  pub- 
lic buildings.  I'ut  we  walked  near  the  capitol ;  then,  taking  a  hack, 
we  rode  to  the  President's  house,  and  tho  four  offices,  state,  treas- 
ury, war  and  navy  ;  by  which  time  it  became  dark. 

We  went  to  our  hotel,  having  received  kind  attention  from  Jona- 
than Dennis,  who  resides  in  Washington,  and  from  a  daughter  of 


13G 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


Isaac  Brooks,  of  Baltimore,  who  had  been  with  us  in  the  cars. 

30th. — We  set  off  at  six  o'clock  A.  M.,  in  the  boat  down  the  Po- 
tomac, to  the  station  at  Aoquia  Creek;  thence  by  railroad,  via 
Fredericksburg,  Richmond  and  Petersburg  to  Weldon,  where  we 
took  supper.  Thence  by  night,  via  Goldsborough,  to  llaleigh, 
where  we  arrived  about  daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  31st.  We 
made  no  stop  here,  but  proceeded  by  railroad  toward  Greens- 
borough.  The  iron  rails  not  being  laid  through,  we  had  fifteen 
miles  by  coach,  and  arrived  at  Greensborough  between  one  and  two 
o'clock  p.  >r. — thence,  after  dinner,  by  coach  to  New  Garden. 

Elcvcnih-inontli  1. — We  are  fairly  settled  at  llie  boarding-school 
for  our  liome.  Very  solemn  was  our  first  visit  to  the  meeting- 
house and  grave-yard,  last  evening.  The  forests  are  particularly 
beautiful.  Black,  vi'hite  and  red  oaks  are  the  principal  trees — 
among  which  are  mixed,  chesnuts  and  other  trees.  The  house 
looks  old  to  us,  and  appears  smaller  than  it  once  did  to  us.  Its 
size  is  thirty-five  by  seventy  feet,  two  stories  high,  divided  into  two 
equal  rooms  by  a  partition.  It  was  built  about  the  year  1791,  as 
indicated  by  that  date  cut  in  a  latch-plate  on  the  partition  door, 
which  may  be  considered  correct.  It  was  the  old  house,  long  since 
gone,  (not  this  building,)  tlv^i  was  eonvertcJ  into  a  hospita'  for  the 
wounded,  by  the  British  army,  after  the  battle  of  G  uilford  in*17Sl. 
It  was  in  this  meeting-house  that  we  were  married  in  1820. 

The  grave-yard  appears  to  be  nearly  twice  as  large  as  it  was 
when  we  removed  in  1824.  Over  all  of  the  older  part  of  the  yard, 
the  myrtle  is  thickly  matted ;  and  the  princely  white,  oak  still 
stands  in  the  midst  of  that  part. 

The  grave  of  my  dear  lionored  mother  is  here,  where'  she  was 
buried  in  the  Tenth-month,  1820 — which  we  visited  with  very 
solemn  feelings.  In  this  yard  were  also  buried  my  grandfather 
and  grandmother  Coffin,  and  a  large  number  of  other  near  rela- 
tives. Here  too  we  find  the  graves  of  many  who  were  living,  men 
and  women,  at  the  time  of  our  removal  in  1824.  The  reflections 
and  associations  upon  this  review  were  truly  solemn,  and  served 
to  refresh  in  our  minds  a  lively  sense,  truly  awful,  of  our  own 
mortality. 

The  following  lines  penned  by  Elijah  Coffin  on  the 
death  of  his  mother  were  "  written  at  her  grave,"  many 


1855.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


137 


years  previous  to  the  above  date,  while  in  tlie  twenty- 
second  year  of  his  age.  They  are  inserted  here  to  preserve 
for  his  descendants  the  tribute  of  his  affectionate  heart 
to  the  memory  of  his  honored  parent.* 

ELEGY  ON  THE  DEATH  OF  MY  MOTHER. 
Departing  soul,  farewell!  thy  days  on  earth 
Must  be  no  more.    So  God,  allwise,  ordains. 
Thy  sufferings,  Mother  dear!  affect  my  breast 
With  anguisl^  still !  still  rouse  the  tear  of  love 
And  move  my'sympathetic  heart  to  weep! 
But,  (happy  thought!)  those  sufferings  were  in  body, 
Not  in  mind!    How  sad  that  night,  when  I 
(A  near  beholder  of  thy  great  distress.) 
Had  not  the  power,  the  hand  of  sweet  relief 
T'  extend,  but  did,  with  anxious  thought  behold. 
My  dear  maternal  guardian  thus  expire ! 
So  frail  is  man! — But  thou  art  gone,  and  we 
Thee  soon  must  follovv!    Thou  hast  trod  the  way 
And  pointed  out  to  us  our  final  doom!'* 
Diseased  frames,  distempered  bodies  frail 
And  troubled  souls!  such  thou  hast  left  behind! 
^  From  thee  have  pains  and  sorrows  fled;  by  thee 
Are  perfect  quiet,  rest  and  peace  enjoyed. 
Then  why  should  we,  departed  soul!  now  mourn 
Thy  death,  when  it  to  thee,  more  joyful  life 
Brings  in?    And  when  ourselves  to  such  distress 
As  thou  hast  often  felt,  are  still  subjected ! 
There  is  no  cause.    Then  let  rae  now  desist; 
And  hold  in  grateful  memory  long  thy  care, 
.  Thy  love  maternal,  and  affection  kind. 
Departed  soul,  adieu!  while  I'm  confined 
In  brittle  clay!    I  soon  must  follow  thee! 
And  if  we  meet  again,  we  part  no  more! 
New  Garden,  N.  C,  Tenth-month  12,  1820. 

We  returned  at  dusk  to  the  boarding-school. 

This  morning,  assisted  by  our  kind  friend  and  relation,  John 
R.  Hubbard,  we  visited  the  farm  and  dwelling  once  occupied  by 
our  honored  parents,  Benajah  and  Elizabeth  Hiatt,  where  my  wife 
was  brought  up  in  early  life.    The  farm  is  much  altered,  and  the 


*'It  is  proper  to  remark  that  he  claimed  at  no  period  of  his  life,  any  preten- 
sions to  versification. 

10 


138 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


house  lias  been  permitted  to  decline.  After  a  suitable  stay  about 
the  premises,  we  went  to  Seaborn  Iloskins',  and  remained  with  them 
until  after  dinner.  Then  called  at  Moses  Hoskins',  and  made  a 
short  stay  with  him  and  his  two  sisters.  Then  to  Sarah  Stanley's, 
an  aged  widow  whom  we  well  knew  in  early  life.  Then  to  Stephen 
Macy's ;  and  I  went  to  the  well  at  the  premises  once  occupied  by 
my  uncle  Jesse  Evans.    We  returned  to  the  school  in  the  evening. 

2d. — Our  friend  John  Russel  called  for  us  this  morning,  to  take 
us  in  his  carriage  to  Deep  River  meeting  house,  in  order  that  I 
might  attend  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  that  place.  My  wife, 
however,  stopped  at  David  Beard's  near  by,  and  after  meeting  we 
went  to  Greorge  C.  Mendenhall's,  where  we  had  the  agreeable  com- 
pany of  Amos  and  ICdith  Griffith,  David  and  Rebecca  T.  Updegraff, 
their  daughter,  Sarah  Jenkins,  and  Jane  Young,  from  Canada. 
The  Meeting  for  Sufferings  consisted  of  twenty-five  to  thirty-five 
intelligent  Friends,  in  whose  proceedings  I  was  interested. 

The  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee  of  Indiana  Yeaidy'Meet- 
ing,  having,  as  they  believed,  felt  the  need  of  a  suitable  tract,  set- 
ting forth  in  a  clear,  short,  yet  full  manner,  without  controversy,  the 
Christian  Doctrines  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  had  compiled  such 
an  one,  in  which  work  I  had  taken  an  active  interest.  We  felt  the 
responsibility  of  such  an  undertaking  deeply.  After  we  had  pre- 
pared the  tract  nearly  ready  for  printing,  aud  had  some  proof  sheets 
struck  off,  it  was  laid  before  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  in  the  fore- 
part of  the  Tenth-month,  and  that  body  having  approved  of  the 
tract,  a  minute  was  made  authorizing  the  publication  of  fifteen 
thousand  copies  by  the  central  committee.  I  had  one  of  these 
proof  sheets  with  me,  and  having  informed  Friends  of  what  we  in 
our  country  were  doing  in  this  matter,  they  caused  the  tract  to 
be  read — and  the  general  approbation  of  the  meeting  thereof  was 
expressed.  A  minute  was  made  approving  it,  and  the  tract  was 
sent  forward  to  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

3d. — AVe  attended  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  Deep 
River :  about  thirty -two  men  and  thirty-eight  women  present.  I 
considered  it  a  solemn  favored  meeting.  Dined  at  cousin  Abel  Cof- 
fin's and  were  taken  back  to  New  Garden  in  the  afternoon,  by  our 
very  kind  friend  John  Russell.  We  returned  to  New  Garden,  by  a 
different  road  from  that  we  came,  and  were  much  interested  in  ob- 
serving the  farms  and  dwellings  as  they  now  appear,  and  in  think- 


1855.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


139 


ing  of  tlie  changes  which  have  taken  pUice  since  the  days  of  our 
youth. 

4th. — First-day. — At  Scripture  reading  hist  evening,  I  thought  it 
right  to  offer  to  officiate  as  teacher  in  a  Scripture  school,  to  convene 
at  nine  A.  M.  this  morning,  which  offer  was  accepted,  and  a  consider- 
able number  of  youth,  and  several  of  such  as  were  advanced  in 
years  attended.  We  had  a  satisfactory  time  together ;  and  it  was 
concluded  to  meet  again  this  evening  for  like  exercises. 

At  meeting  at  the  regular  hour.  The  house  was  filled  below  and 
the  gallery,  above  stairs,  was  partly  occupied.  We  had  a  favored 
meeting.  It  seems  to  us  that  the  number  in  attendance  was  not 
nearly  so  large  as  it  was  customary  to  have  been  in  the  days  of  our 
youth,  on  this  occasion. 

When  we  were  seated  in  meeting,  the  prospect  was,  to  me,  very 
solemn.  There  were  the  seats  before  me  which  I  used  to  occupy  when 
a  boy,  and  from  that  time  until  I  was  grown  and  married.  The 
living  multitude  that  tlten  occupied  those  seats  are  not  there  now' 
And  the  fathers,  who  occupied  the  seats  in  one  of  which  I  now  sit^ 
where  are  they?  They  are  not  here;  they  are  gone  forever  from 
the  sight  of  men.  These  and  other  like  considerations  are  very 
serious,  and  give  fresh  admonition  that  this  world  is  not  our 
home. 

In  the  afternoon  we  walked  over  to  the  farm  and  dwelling  where 
we  first  settled  after  marriage.  They  have  been  suffered  to  decline 
greatly.  A  family  of  renters,  in  low  circumstances,  resided  in  the 
house,  and  were  very  kind  to  us. 

In  the  evening  we  attended  again  to  our  Scripture  reading  and  ex- 
ercises, in  which  others  present  seemed  to  take  a  lively  interest. 

5th. — AVe  rode  to  the  place  occupied  by  my  honored  parents  at 
the  time  of  my  marriage  and  for  about  ten  years  before:  but  it  be- 
gan raining,  and  we  did  not  walk  about  much. 

Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  was  opened  at  eleven  A.  M.  We 
had  a  quiet  and  a  good  meeting.  The  business  was  proceeded  with 
in  about  the  usual  manner,  Aaron  Stalker  being  the  clerk. 

6th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  proceeded  with  business  to-day  har- 
moniously. 

7th. — Foitrth-day. — Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  nine  A.M. 
It  was  a  precious  time  of  very  evident  visitation  of  Divine  love. 
About  forty-two  men  and  forty  women  present. 


140 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


Public  Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven  A.  M.  It  was  pretty  largelj' 
attended,  and  was  a  good  meeting. 

8th. — Meeting  for  SuflFerings  at  nine  A.  M.  Yearly  Meeting  for 
Discipline  at  eleven  A.  m. 

9th. — Sixth-day. — After  a  long  sitting  and  the  finishing  of  the 
business  in  harmony,  the  Yearly  Meeting  closed,  late  in  the  after- 
noon. 

Our  Scripture  exercises  of  evenings,  at  the  boarding-school,  have 
been  continued,  and  a  lively  interest  in  them  is  manifested  by  some 
both  of  the  young  and  old. 

Mo.st  Friends  left  this  evening — some  for  their  homes  and  some 
for  Center,  where  the  Western  Quarterly  Meeting  is  to  be  held  to- 
morrow.   We  went  to  John  Hiatt's. 

10th. — We  visited  the  widow  of  Christopher  Hiatt,  deceased, 
and  my  wife  remained  there,  while  I  went  to  Greensboro'.  At 
Greensboro'  I  called  on  Jesse  Lindsay,  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Cape 
Fear,  at  that  place,  in  his  office,  and  had  some  pleasant  conversation 
with  him:  then  at  some  of  the  stores;  then  at  the  Branch  of  the 
Farmer's  Bank,  W.  A.  Caldwell,  cashier ;  and  afterward  on  my  old 
friends  Doctor  David  and  Thomas  Caldwell,  each  at  his  own  house. 
I  was  received  very  kindly.  They  are  sons  of  Doctor  David 
Caldwell,  a  presbyterian  minister,  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  this 
part  of  the  State,  and  he  kept  an  academy  for  young  men.  Resid- 
ing about  four  miles  from  my  father's,  we  were  well  acquainted  with 
him  and  his  family,  in  my  youthful  days.  The  two  sons,  above 
named,  are  both  old  men  now.  The  town  of  Greensboro'  is  much 
improved  since  we  removed  from  this  county;  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants was  about  two  thousand  five  hundred  at  the  last  census,  but 
is  estimated  considerably  larger  now.  I  wished  to  see  Governor 
John  M.  Moorhead  and  his  brother  James,  but  they  were  both  ab- 
sent from  home.  I  returned  to  widow  Hiatt's  to  dinner,  and  we 
were  very  kindly  taken  home  to  the  school  in  the  afternoon  by  a 
son  of  John  Hiatt.  On  our  way  to  the  school  we  passed  very  near 
to  the  old  Sandy  Spring  meeting-house.  The  house  appears  to  be 
going  to  decay,  no  meeting  of  Friends  having  been  held  there  for 
more  than  thirty  years  past. 

11th. — First-day. — We  attended  the  Meeting  for  Worship  at  New 
Garden  to-day.    It  was  small.    We  took  tea  in  the  evening  at  Na- 


1855.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


141 


than  Clark's — his  mother,  Ascnath,  an  old  acquaintance  of  ours, 
residing  with  them. 

12th. — We  made  a  call  on  Doctor  Samuel  Coffin,  and  afterward 
at  his  father's,  my  cousin  Elihu  Coffin,  then  went  to  Phebe  Hobbs', 
a  widow,  who  occupies  the  dwelling  and  owns  the  farm  which  were 
formerly  my  father's  where  we  were  kindly  entertained.  I  walked 
over  the  farm,  and  along  the  branch,  thinking  of  scenes  of  my 
youth,  and  taking  notice  of  the  present  condition  of  spots  then 
fimiliar  to  me.  We  called,  as  we  returned  toward  the  school,  at 
the  place  once  occupied  by  my  grandfather. 

13th. — Passed  the  day  mostly  about  the  school.  The  session  was 
opened  yesterday — about  eighty  scholars  have  already  come  in. 
Aaron  Stalker  and  Jane,  his  wife,  superintendents;  John  R.  Hub- 
bard and  John  H.  Stewart,  teachers,  in  the  boys'  department,  and 
Lydia  H.  and  Mary  Ann  Stalker  (daughters  of  Aaron),  teachers, 
in  the  girls'  department.  There  appears  to  me  to  be  a  good  pros- 
pect of  this  institution  being  very  useful.  By  the  desire  of  the 
superintendent,  the  Scripture  exercises,  after  our  manner,  have 
been  attended  to  on  the  three  evenings  last  past. 

14th. — We  set  off  with  Doctor  Samuel  Coffin  and  George  Harvey, 
for  Randolph  county,  the  doctor  having  kindly  consented  to  accom- 
pany and  convey  us. 

We  passed  two  copper-mines  on  our  way  to  Center ;  the  first^ 
the  "  Fisher  Hill  Mine,"  and  the  other,  near  Center,  called  the 
"  Fentriss  Mine,''  owned  by  the  North  Carolina  Copper  Mine  Com- 
pany. We  did  not  see  any  one  at  work  at  the  Fisher  Hill  Mine — 
the  work  was  either  suspended,  or  the  parties  were  absent  grinding 
ore;  but  at  the  Fentriss  Mine  they  appeared  to  be  in  full  operation. 
We  were  permitted  to  examine  any  part  with  entire  freedom.  We 
did  not  incline  to  descend  into  the  shaft.  We  were  informed  that 
the  mine  is  now  penetrated  to  the  depth  of  three  hundred  feet, 
where  the  ore  diggers  are  now  working. 

We  dined  with  Abigail,  the  widow  of  Joshua  Stanley;  he  having 
very  recently  deceased.  We  arrived  at  Franklinsville  in  the  eren- 
ing,  and  were  kindly  received  by  Alexander  and  Jane  Horney,  the 
latter  being  the  youngest  daughter  of  my  brother  Elisha. 

15th. — Dr.  Samuel  and  George  set  off  on  their  return  this  morn- 
ing, and  we  went  forward,  in  a  carriage  furnished  by  Alexander 
Horney,  to  my  brother's.  He  manifested  great  joy  at  seeing  us 
once  more. 


142 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1855. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Return  Home — Religious  Exeecises — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting — War  in 

Kansas. 

Eleventh-month  17. — We  attended  Holly  Spring  Monthly  Meeting. 

18th. — First-day. — We  parted  with  my  brother's  wife,  and  at- 
tended meeting  at  Holly  Spring ;  then,  after  meeting,  went  to 
Franklinsville,  home  with  Alexander  Horney  and  his  wife  and 
daughter,  who  were  also  at  meeting.  Our  brother  also  went 
with  us. 

19th. — We  parted  with  our  relations  in  the  morning,  and  went 
forward  to  Graham,  the  county-seat  of  Allemance  county,  at  which 
place  we  had  to  stay  over  until  noon,  the  20th,  when  we  took  the 
cars  for  Raleigh.  We  returned  home  by  the  same  route  we  came, 
making  no  stay  in  Baltimore,  excepting  over  one  night. 

We  arrived  at  home  on  Sixth-day  evening,  the  23d,  and  had 
great  reason  for  thankfulness,  in  the  review,  for  the  preservation, 
favors  and  comforts  that  we  had  enjoyed  during  this  long  journey. 

30th — Twelfth-month  1  and  2. — We  had  a  good  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing. Our  friends,  Eleazar  Bales,  Thomas  Jay  and  Smith  Gregg, 
were  in  attendance.  The  weather  being  mild  for  the  season,  I  con- 
sidered the  number  in  attendance  to  be  rather  larger  than  the 
Yearly  Meeting  in  North  Carolina. 

9th  and  10th. — Stormy,  wintry  days.  Until  now,  we  have  had 
weather  of  unusual  mildness  for  the  season. 

26th.- — This  morning  is  much  the  coldest  of  the  season  so  far. 
The  thermometer  indicated  ten  degrees  below  zero  at  our  house. 
Some  snow  on  the  ground.  Good  health  generally  prevails. 
Monthly  Meeting  to-day. 

27th. — Thermometer  four  degrees  below  zero. 

Our  son  William  and  his  interesting  family  having  removed  to 
Kansas  about  the  31st  of  the  Tenth-month  last,  we  have  heard  of 
their  safe  arrival  in  that  Territoi-y  about  the  8th  of  the  Eleventh- 
month.    We  are  much  concerned  for  them  at  this  time,  lest  they 


1856.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


143 


should  suffer  from  cold  and  exposure  in  that  new  country,  in  which 
there  are  as  yet  hut  few  comforts  of  those  kinds  which  are  provided 
by  the  industry  of  man. 

30th. — We  have  received  a  letter  from  dear  William,  giving  us 
as  favorable  account  as  we  could  properly  expect.  The  "Missouri 
ruffians"  have  made  much  difficulty  there  recently,  threatening 
civil  war;  but  we  hear  they  have  gone  back,  for  the  present  at 
least.  The  numbers  from  Missouri,  in  the  parties  of  invaders,  are 
variously  estimated  from  seven  hundred  to  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred, with  military  equipments,  avowing  their  intention  to  destroy 
the  town  of  Lawrence  and  its  inhabitants. 

31st. — It  is  a  solemn  thing  to  reHect  on  this  being  the  last  day 
of  the  year.  0 !  that  I  may  more  earnestly  desire,  more  earnestly 
pray  to  improve  for  the  time  to  come ;  to  be  more  practically  what 
I  would  be ;  to  be  really  and  more  thoroughly  a  Christian  indeed. 
I  acknowledge  that,  in  contemplating  on  the  character  of  a  genuine 
primitive  disciple  of  Christ,  it  seems  to  me  that  I  fall  much  short 
of  it.  What  is  to  prevent  it?  Is  it  any  more  difficult  to  be  a 
Christian  now  than  it  was  in  the  apostles'  days,  or  in  the  days  of 
our  first  Friends?  I  can  see  no  good  reason  why  we  should  not 
be  as  devoted,  thorough  Christians,  in  principle,  faith  and  practice, 
now  as  then.  Let  me  take  fresh  resolution  with  the  new  year. 
Help  me.  Father  of  love  and  goodness. 

First-month  1,  1856. — A  beautiful  winter  morning.  The  ther- 
mometer five  degrees  below  zero.  Good  health  and  the  blessings 
of  heaven  attend  us.    O,  for  a  full  sense  of  gratitude  ! 

4th. — The  mercury  was  this  morning  about  fifteen  degress  below 
zero  in  the  thermometer.  Our  dear  children,  Eli  and  Mary,  are 
with  us ;  she  being  under  a  doctor's  care.  There  seems  to  be  a 
good  prospect  at  present  that  her  health  may  improve. 

9th  and  10th. — On  both  these  mornings  the  mercury  went  down 
in  the  thermometer  to  twenty-six  and  twenty-eight  degrees  below 
zero,  the  greatest  degree  of  cold  ever  observed  by  us  since  our 
residence  in  this  country,  when  we  had  an  instrument  to  indicate 
it.  During  the  9th,  the  mercury  through  the  day  did  not  .rise 
higher  than  six  to  eight  degrees  below  zero.  Ground  covered 
with  snow. 

All  kinds  of  provisions  common  to  our  country  are  plentiful,  but 
at  prices  high,  as  compared  with  the  prices  which  have  been  com- 


144 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAU  COFFIN. 


[1856- 


mon  heretofore.  Flour  $3.50  the  100  lbs. ;  the  hog  market  opened 
at  $0.00  to  $6.25,  declined  to  $4.50  and  $5.00;  beefsteak  8J  cents 
per  pound;  firewood  $2.50  to  $3.00  per  cord;  v/heat,  $1.30  per 
bushel ;  corn,  25  to  30  cents  ;  oats,  25  cents  ;  hay,  $10.00  per  tun. 

On  the  evening  of  the  9th,  our  dear  Rhoda  was  confined  with  a 
fine  boy ;  they  decide  to  call  his  name  William  Edward.  It  is 
cause  of  much  thankfulness  that  she  is  doing  so  well. 

23d. — Monthly  Meeting.  Moses  Beede  is  here,  having  returned 
from  Iowa,  whither  he  went  after  the  Yearly  Meeting.  He  obtained 
the  approbation  of  the  meeting  to  perform  a  family  visit  to  our 
members  here. 

24th. — This  morning  M.  B.  had  a  solemn  sitting  with  us.  His 
communication  was  lively,  affectionate,  encouraging  and  warning. 

25th. — A  vision  in  my  sleep  last  night.  My  father,  in  conver- 
sation with  me  concerning  my  religious  condition  (^perfectly  natural, 
without  any  appreciation  on  my  part,  of  his  being  long  since  de- 
ceased), brought  home  to  me  in  a  concise  way,  that  my  conduct  was 
not  right  in  the  Divine  sight,  having  reference  to  the  fretful  manner 
in  which  I  sometimes  speak  to  others  in  business  at  the  counter, 
and  supported  his  remark,  by  the  evidence  of  a  quiet  man,  a  disin- 
terested witness  against  me,  and  I  saw  no  place  of  escape  from  the 
guilt  and  condemnation.  I  awoke  under  a  strong  impression  of  the 
case,  and  a  deep  sen.se  of  mortification.  O  Lord,  I  crave  thy  mercy ! 
I  crave  thy  forgiveness  of  my  sins!  Grant  to  me  ability  to  pray 
availingly  for  pardon,  through  Jesus  Christ,  and  for  his  sake. 

Now,  whatever  may  be  my  pretense  and  profession  as  to  religion, 
if  others  see  in  my  countenance,  and  in  my  conduct,  and  hear  in 
my  words  and  tone,  what  docs  not  correspond  with  my  profession, 
where  am  I  in  their  view  ?  Where  am  I  really,  by  the  impartial 
standard  ?  Is  not  n'iy  vision  too  true  ?  Am  I  not  sJiort  in  doing  as 
I  ought,  to  complete  the  Christian  character  which  I  profess,  to  fill 
the  station  which  I  occupy,  and  the  just  expectation  of  others  who 
look  for  it  from  me  ? 

This  dream  makes  a  vivid  impression  on  me.  May  I  take  the 
hint  to  improve  from  it.    Lord,  help  me!    I  can  not  help  myself! 

30th. — The  weather  continues  very  cold,  with  considerable  snow 
on  the  ground.  This  month  has  been  very  cold  throughout,  with 
some  days  colder  than  we  probably  ever  experienced  heretofore. 
Mercury  this  morning  four  degrees  above  zero. 


1856.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


145 


The  decease  of  our  very  dear  friend  Stephen  Grcllet,  which  oc- 
curred on  the  16th  of  the  Eleventh-month,  1855,  has  made  a  deep 
sensation  among  Friends  in  America  and  in  Europe.  He  was  an 
excellent  Christian,  and  a  very  remarkable  man. 

On  Second-day  the  28th  inst.,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  our  Cen- 
tral Book  and  Tract  Committee  was  held,  and  considerable  business 
done,  as  usual.  One  edition  of  ten  thousand  copies  of  our  tract 
on  Christian  Doctrines,  has  been  issued,  and  divided  out  principally 
in  portions  for  distribution  among  Friends  in  our  several  Quarterly 
Meetings ;  eight  thousand  being  forwarded  in  this  way,  and  one 
thousand  five  hundred  have  been  sent  to  North  Carolina.  We  liave 
ordered  another  edition  of  five  thousand,  which  are  now  about 
ready. 

Our  boarding-scliool  has  about  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
students  this  session.  It  seems  much  more  comfortable  and  com- 
modious to  all  parties,  since  the  buildings  are  so  nearly  completed. 
I  have  been  taking  a  lively  interest  in  promoting  a  better  and  more 
thorough  course  of  Scriptural  instruction  in  the  institution,  having 
addressed  the  whole  of  the  scholars,  with  the  superintendent  and 
teachers  once,  and  attended  the  recitations  of  three  difi"erent  classes, 
at  many  difierent  times  afterward. 

Second-mo iif.li  2. — Mercury  this  morning  eight  degrees  below 
zero ;  beautifully  clear.  A  good  deal  of  snow  on  the  ground. 
Firewood  $2.75  to  $3.00  the  cord. 

This  date  is  our  wedding-day,  thirty-six  years  ago. 

5th. — For  about  six  weeks  past,  the  weather  has  been  unusually 
cold.  Mercury  on  the  3d,  twenty  degrees  below  zero  ;  4th,  twenty- 
six  degrees  below  zero  ;  and  on  this  morning,  twenty-two  degrees 
below  zero. 

We  have  deep  sympathy  with  our  dear  William  and  Sarah  and 
their  family,  now  in  Kansas,  on  account  of  the  dangers  of  the  pres- 
ent unsettled  state  of  public  affairs,  and  their  privations  and  expos- 
ures in  that  new  country. 

19th. — We  have  received  letters  from  our  dear  William  in  Kan- 
sas ;  he  and  his  family  left  their  home  from  an  apprehension  of 
violence  from  the  "  Ruffians  "  of  Missouri,  and  went  to  Friends' 
Shawnee  mission  station  ;  and  then,  after  remaining  there  for  a  few 
days,  returned  back  home  through  deep  snow,  and  much  exposure. 
But  he  writes  cheerfully,  which  is  a  comfort  to  us. 


146 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1856. 


20tli. — Decease  of  Rebecca  Winder,  daughter  of  John  Pool. 

Preparative  Meetinp:,  Samuel  Bonine  present. 

Mo.ses  Beede  of  Rhode  Island,  now  on  a  religious  visit  in  these 
parts,  obtained  the  unity  and  concurrence  of  our  last  Monthly 
Meeting  to  visit  the  fiimilies  belonging  thereto.  Having  proceeded 
in  this  engagement  until  nearly  through  it,  he  has  been  absent  in 
order  to  attend  the  Quarterly  Meetings  at  Miami  and  West  Branch, 
but  has  now  returned  to  this  neighborhood. 

The  weather  has  continued  steadily  cold,  but  now  appears  fine, 
and  more  like  becoming  milder.  Much  snow  is  still  on  the 
ground. 

Tlit'yd-inonfh  S. — The  weather  still  remains  severely  cold ;  there 
is  much  snow  on  the  ground. 

Attended  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meeting — Moses  Beede  also  in  at- 
tendance. 

31st. — We  have  had  no  rain  since  soon  after  the  middle  of  the 
Twelfth -month  last.  The  weather  is  milder  than  it  was  awhile  past, 
but  is  still  cold  for  the  season.  Snow  not  all  gone  yet;  I  can  not 
remember  of  ever  having  known  so  long  a  time  without  rain.  It 
is  healthy,  generally. 

Futirtli-month  2. — This  morning  we  have  rain. 

During  the  last  month,  and  for  some  time  before,  I  have  been 
closely  engaged  in  the  every-day  business  of  my  olEce.  I  can  say 
very  little  as  to  my  spiritual  condition.  Very  deep  have  been  the 
impressions  at  many  times,  of  the  plagues  and  evils  of  my  heart; 
and  very  earnest  have  been  my  cries  to  the  Father  of  mercies  and 
God  of  all  power  that  he  would  help  me  through  Jesus  Christ,  my 
Lord,  to  overcome  all  corruption  and  wrong  disposition,  and  to 
come  into  the  experience,  more  thoroughl}',  of  that  compUle  re- 
demption from  all  sin,  which  is  by  Christ.  Earnest  have  been  my 
prayers  that  I  might  set  a  better  example  of  the  real  Christian  in 
my  daily  walk,  and  in  all  my  business  intercourse  with  others. 
But  even  after  all  my  prayers  and  all  my  good  intentions,  I  have 
had  very  often  to  deplore  my  exceeding  weakness,  and  my  many 
frailties,  and  so  many  errors  from  a  thorough  Christian  life,  as  to 
make  me  feel  low  indeed.  My  intercessions  are  earnest  that  Christ 
will  save  me  ;  and  even  in  my  lowest  times  my  faith  is  not  all  gone; 
but  I  feel,  with  great  anxiety,  my  deficiency  in  that  close  and  unre- 
mitted "  walk  with  God,"  and  all  that  continued  evidence  of  his  par- 


1856.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


147 


doiiing  mercy  and  love,  that  I  could  desire.  0,  Lord  !  blot  out,  in 
tliy  mercy,  all  niy  sins  for  Christ's  sake  ;  0  help  me  to  love  thee 
truly,  and  to  walk  in  thy  love  and  thy  truth  ;  keep  me  out  of  temp- 
tation, and  deliver  me  from  evil,  as  in  thy  goodness  and  fatherly 
care,  thou  maj'est  sec  best  for  me ;  and  bring  me,  tlirough  comphlc 
redemptiun,  into  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Our  boarding-school  has  been  attended  by  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty-five  students,  during  the  session  just  closed.  David  Hunt, 
superintendent,  Elizabeth  Hopkins,  matron  ;  Wm.  Haughton,  Wm. 
Morgan,  Joseph  Moore,  Sarah  Morgan  and  Josep^jine  Quinby, 
teachers;  Alethia  Oofiin,  assistant  in  the  nursery  and  domestic  de- 
partment. I  have  been  taking  an  interest  in  promoting  a  more 
efficient  course  of  scriptural  instruction  by  visits  to  the  school  at 
large,  and  in  classes,  and  before  the  committee.  A  kind  regard  has 
been  had  toward  my  suggestions,  and  I  believe,  now  that  the  session 
has  come  to  its  close,  that  there  has  been  considerable  substantial 
improvement  in  this  valuable  and  necessary  part  of  education. 

My  little  work  of  "  Scripture  Exercises  on  Genesis,"  is  in  course 
of  being  stereotyped,  but  is  not  yet  out. 

13th. — -Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction,  was 
opened  at^Whitewater  this  morning  for  the  summer.  One  hundred 
and  five  scholars  in  attendance. 

Fi/lh-monik  10. — Moses  Beede  has  returned  from  the  west,  and 
is  quite  sick  at  Jeremiah  Hadley's. 

Nathan  Pike  of  New  Garden,  attended  on  last  Monthly  Meeting, 
with  a  minute  of  unity,  and  has  since  visited  most  of  the  fiimilies 
of  Friends  in  Richmond,  and  a  few  in  the  neighborhood.  His  visit 
has  been  satisfactory,  I  believe. 

The  news  of  peace  in  Europe  between  Russia  and  the  allied 
powers  of  Turkey,  England,  France,  etc.,  has  reached  us,  and  is 
now  fully  confirmed. 

ITtli. — Spring,  though  long  delayed,  is  now  fully  come;  the 
weather  is  not  yet  hot,  but  is  delightful.  After  much  dry  weather, 
we  now  have  rain.  Many  of  the  fruit  trees,  vines,  etc.,  have  been 
killed  by  the  great  severity  of  the  past  winter. 

Morrison,  Blanchard  &  Co.  having  purchased  the  north-east  cor- 
ner of  Main  and  Pearl  streets,  are  now  about  building  a  new  bank- 
ing house  on  the  corner. 

We  hear  of  the  decease  of  John  Wilbur,  the  leader  of  the  dis- 


148 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1856. 


turbances  aniong  Friends  in  New  England,  on  tlie  1st  of  this 
month. 

There  is  much  difficulty  in  Kansas,  arising  from  a  desire  on  the 
part  of  Missourians,  and  otliers  favorable  to  slavery,  to  introduce 
and  establish  slavery  in  that  territory.  There  is  mucli  political 
commotion  throughout  the  country,  on  the  same  account. 

Seventh-month  10. — I  find  that  considerable  time  has  passed  away 
since  my  last  entry.  I  have  been  about  home,  busily  engaged  at 
my  office  most  of  the  time.  By  the  favor  of  Providence  we  have 
been  blessed  in  our  family  with  a  good  share  of  health,  and  that 
blessing  is  extensively  enjoyed  in  these  parts  by  the  public  generally. 

Our  friend  Asenath  Clark,  and  her  companion  Beulah  M.  Carter, 
came  here,  in  the  course  of  a  religious  visit,  in  the  latter  part  of 
the  Fifth-month.  jMy  wife  and  self  went  with  them  to  New  Garden 
Quarterly  Meeting,  on  tlie  23d  and  24th.  Returning  to  Richmond, 
they  went  westward;  but  came  back  again  to  attend  our  Quarterly 
Meeting,  arriving  at  our  house.  Sixth-month  5. 

Our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  —  Sixth-month  5 — was  largely  at- 
tended ;  among  other  business,  several  memorials  were  read,  in 
which  I  had  taken  a  part,  in  abridging  and  compiling.  The  abridg- 
ments appeared  to  be  very  satisfactory  to  the  meeting. 

Our  Quarterly  Meeting  was  largely  attended ;  and  was  a  pleasant 
season  of  mingling  together.  We  had  in  attendance  from  other 
parts,  Asenath  Clark,  as  above-mentioned  ;  Jonah  Hole,  from 
Alum  Creek,  and  Jeremiah  Hadley,  from  Whiteliek,  with  minutes. 

Our  daughter  Hannah  Amelia  has  been  absent  since  my  last 
entry,  making  a  visit  to  her  sisters,  Caroline  and  Mary,  in  Ohio. 

Our  First-day  school  has  been  progressing  to  pretty  good  satis- 
faction :  the  average  attendance  has  been  about  one  hundred. 
Truly  an  interesting  company.  May  we  be  helped  to  go  out  and 
come  in  rightly  before  them. 

On  looking  back  over  the  Monthly  Meeting's  records  about  First- 
day  schools,  I  see  the  first  effort  in  which  the  meeting  took  a  part, 
by  appointing  a  committee  to  attend  to  the  subject,  was  made  in  the 
Twelth-month,  1833.  Early  in  1834,  a  school  was  opened  by  a 
committee  appointed  for  the  purpose.  In  the  Eleventh- month,  it 
was  suspended,  for  the  winter ;  then  resumed  in  the  Fourth-month, 
1835 ;  in  the  Eighth-month  it  was  discontinued  and  was  not  re- 
sumed  again  until   the   Fourth-month,  1839;  since  which  time 


1856.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFm.  149 

it  has  been  continued  cacli  summer,  with  a  gradual  but  con- 
stant increase  in  attendance.  Each  fall  it  has  been  suspended, 
and  resumed  again  in  tlic  spring.  In  the  summer  of  1855,  one 
hundred  and  thirty-six  names  were  entered  on  the  list  of  students 
(teachers  and  committee  not  included),  of  which  one  hundred  and 
nine  were  members  of  our  religious  Society,  and  twenty-six  were 
not.    The  average  attendance  was  about  ninety. 

My  wife  joined  several  other  members  of  a  committee  of  our 
Yearly  Meeting  in  a  visit  to  the  Alum  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  at  Gilead  in  last  month,  with  reference  to  annexing  that  meet- 
ing to  the  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting.  It  seems  probable  at  this  time 
that  such  an  annexation  may  be  made. 

Eightli-monih  1. — We  hear  of  the  removal,  by  death,  on  29tli 
ultimo,  of  our  venerable  and  beloved  friend  Richard  Mott,  of  New 
York,  who  departed  this  life  at  an  advanced  age,  having  been  long 
a  father  and  an  acceptable  leader  among  his  people.  He  was  buried 
at  Burlington,  New  Jersey,  at  which  place,  not  long  ago,  his  valua- 
ble wife,  Abigail  Mott,  an  excellent  woman,  authoress  of  "  Mott's 
Sketches,''  was  buried.  At  this  place  was  the  residence  of  our  be- 
loved friend  Stephen  Grellet,  who  also  died  and  was  buried  in  the 
Eleventh-month  last.  The  decease,  very  recently,  of  our  friend 
Enoch  Lewis,  of  Philadelphia,  editor  of  "Friends'  Review,"  should 
also  be  mentioned.  These  wore  fathers  and  Elders  in  the  church, 
who  have,  I  believe,  all  died  in  the  faith,  and  their  memory  is  blessed. 

18th. — After  a  long  drought,  we  have  a  most  refreshing  rain 
to-day.    Great  should  be  our  thankfulness  for  this  favor,  so  valuable. 

Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction  has  been  doing 
pretty  well  this  summer — attended  by  eighty  to  over  one  hundred 
children  and  young  persons. 

19th. — We  have  a  great  political  stir  in  and  about  town  to-day. 
Cassius  M.  Clay,  of  Kentucky,  is  in  attendance,  and  has  made  a 
speech  to  a  large  audience.  The  excitement  grows  strong  between 
the  two  political  parties,  in  promoting  the  claims  of  their  respective 
candidates  for  President  of  the  United  States.  The  Democratic  party 
are  desirous  to  elect  James  Buchanan,  of  Pennsylvania,  as  Presi- 
dent; while  the  Republican  party,  wishing  to  stay  the  further  spread 
of  slavery  upon  new  territory,  are  desirous  to  elect  John  C.  Fre- 
mont as  President. 

J   Ninth-month  5. — I  very  often  think  of  Eternity.    I  endeavor  to 


150 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1856. 


brinpj  my  mind  to  contemplate  on  its  reality;  on  its  ncarnet^s  at 
liand;  on  its  scenes,  and  on  my  own  condition  in  relation  to  it.  If 
I  could  be  satisfied  that  my  prayers  would  be  heard,  that  my  lona;- 
ings  would  be  gratified,  that  my  sins  would  be  pardoned,  and  my 
soul  and  body  purified  before  God,  it  seems  to  me  that  my  greatest 
wishes  and  ends  would  be  accomplished,  and  my  joy  unspeakable 
and  eternal. 

In  a  dream,  about  this  time,  I  saw  myself  on  my  final  trial  for 
eternity;  my  anxiety  was  exceeding  great,  beyond  the  possibility 
of  expression;  my  sins,  insincerity  and  unfaithfulness  were  very 
awful,  and  came  near  to  balancing  everything  that  could  appear  in 
my  favor  ;  but  the  divine  and  eternal  verdict  was  finally  given 
hardy  in  my  favor ;  I  was  "  scarcely  saved,"  yet  I  ims  saved ;  I  was 
conducted  by  one  whose  office  appeared  to  be  to  attend  to  that  busi- 
ness, into  a  seat  on  the  side  of  glory ;  I  remember  seeing  another 
person,  about  the  same  in  situation  as  myself,  at  the  same  time  ;  we 
were  told  that  we  might  sit  there  awhile  and  rejoice ;  and  such  was 
the  exceeding  joy  that  thrilled  my  whole  man,  soul,  body,  spirit, 
and  pervaded  every  member,  that  an  issue  of  suppressed  joy  and 
praise  involuntarily  went  from  me,  and  from  the  other  person  like 
me.  Not  a  particle  of  evil,  of  stain,  or  of  fear  remained,  but  our 
joy  was  -perficf,  in  fullness.  The  dream  left  my  whole  soul  and  body 
in  a  thrill  and  ecstasy  of  joy,  delight,  and  praise,  yet  with  a  very 
strong  sense  that  I  had  oxAy  just  escaped^  and  the  awfulness  of  a 
contrary  decision.  I  had  no  view  of  the  general  judgment  of  all 
mankind;  the  person  who  conducted  us  to  our  happy  seats,  I  ap- 
prehended to  be  an  oflScer,  in  the  court  of  my  judge,  and  who  was 
perfectly  cognizant  of  all  my  state,  and  of  all  my  thoughts ;  but  I 
had  no  view  or  recollected  apprehension  of  a  Judr/e,  in  sight,  upon 
a  throne,  or  otherwise.  This  seemed  to  be  rather  understood  :;nd 
known  by  me  than  visibly  manifested  to  me. 

I  know  this  is  «.  dream  ;  but  is  a  vivid  one,  and  appears  to  be  full 
of  meaning.  May  I  bear  it  in  remembrance,  and  apply  it ;  and 
may  my  diligence,  sincerity,  and  earnestness,  be  brightened  and  in- 
creased. Christ  Jesus  is  my  watchword;  it  is  his  I  desire  to  be  ; 
I  can  not  endure  the  thought  of  any  other  termination  of  my 
hopes. 

In  my  dream,  I  saw  myself  as  I  am,  with  body  and  members  ; 


1856.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


151 


mortality  of  course  had  left  mc;  but  I  have  no  recollection  of 
thinking  on  the  subject. 

I  wish  to  give  just  that  weight  and  importance  to  dreams  to  which 
they  are  entitled,  neither  more  nor  less;  but  I  am  satisfied  of  thivS, 
that  there  are  many  dreams  very  significant  and  teaching. 

I  remember  yet,  with  a  tolerable  degree  of  clearness,  a  sublime 
prospect  which  was  given  to  me  in  a  dream,  or  vision  of  the  night, 
about  the  year  1832,  of  the  general  Resurrection,  and  approach  of 
the  great  day  of  general  Judgment.  Our  family  at  that  time  con- 
sisted of  myself,  and  wife,  and  four  children,  the  oldest  and  young- 
est of  which  were  daughters,  the  others  sons.  I  saw  ourselves  sit- 
uated in  a  beautiful  cottage  dwelling,  surrounded  by  delightful 
scenery  ;  the  yard,  and  grounds  around  were  livingly  green  ;  all 
the  earth  seemed  as  it  were  animated  with  beauty  and  cheerfulness; 
the  heavens  above  were  perfectly  clear  and  brilliant,  the  sky  hav- 
ing itSj  deep  and  lively  blue ;  the  sun  was  uncommonly  glorious, 
and  shone  with  rays  as  clear  and  uninterrupted  as  could  be  ima- 
gined. From  some  remarkable  sound,  or  summons  not  now  clearly 
recollected,  our  whole  family  left  the  cottage  on  a  tiptoe  of  surprise 
and  great  wonder;  we  all  stood  together  in  the  beautiful  yard  near 
the  door ;  the  sun  was  just  at  the  loestern  horizon,  shining  with  un- 
clouded brightness,  ready  to  go  down  in  a  few  minutes ;  all  crea- 
tion was  still  and  breathless,  as  if  knowing  what  was  at  hand ;  a 
great  and  wonderful  movement  was  visible  in  the  eastern  sky  :  the 
archaugeJ,  with  his  trumpet,  was  distinctly  visible  in  the  eastern 
sky,  about  as  high  as  the  sun  is  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  he 
was  gently  ascending,  as  the  sun  does  ;  the  sound  of  his  trumpet 
was  distinctly  audible  ;  he  was  attended  by  a  countless  multitude 
in  the  heavens  who  followed  him  :  he  was  callinff  tlie  living  and  the 
dead  to  judgment.  Our  souls  were  swallowed  up  in  amazement, 
and  as  it  were  lost  in  the  greatness  of  the  scene ;  we  were  sensible 
that  our  time  was  at  hand;  a  few  moments  more,  and  we  should 
ascend  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  join  the  countless  mutitude  ; 
a  sense  of  deep  mingled  fear,  joy  and  delight  ran  through  our  whole 
souls  and  bodies  ;  we  were  all  to  go,  soon,  very  soon  ;  and  the  time 
grew  nearer  and  nearer  as  we  watched,  and  were  lost  in  wonder,  and 
the  greatness  of  the  scene.  Our  youngest  daughter,  a  lovely  child 
of  about  one  year  old,  first  took  flight — I  saw  her  rise  and  ascend 


152 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1856. 


toward  the  company  in  the  air  (she  was  nearest  ready  for  heaven); 
and  toe  were  expecting  our  time  in  a  few  moments,  when  I  awoke 
•with  a  thrilling  sense  of  the  scene,  still  pervading  my  whole  man. 
Language  is  entirely  incapable  of  conveying,  even  faintly,  the  thril- 
ling glory,  the  unspeakable  power  and  magnitude,  and  the  sublime 
majesty  and  calm  and  holy  greatness  of  the  scene.  No  vision  ever 
seemed  to  me  more  like  vivid  reality;  and  although  more  than 
twenty-four  years  have  passed  away  since  it  appeared  to  me,  the 
scene  ifc  yet  lively  in  my  recollection. 

18th. — Our  dear  friend  Samuel  Test  departed  this  life  this  morn- 
ing, at  a  good  age  of  more  than  eighty  years.  I  have  had  an  inti- 
mate and  afifectionate  acquintance  with  him  for  nearly  thirty  years. 

Tenth-month  18. — Our  Yearly  Meeting  has  been  large.  Fewer 
cases  of  detention  by  sickness  than  usual,  were  reported.  Some 
estimated  the  public  attendance  on  First-day  at  ten  thousand ;  this, 
however,  is  uncertain.  There  was  a  large  meeting  held  outside  the 
house,  as  well  as  inside,  both  in  the  forenoon  and  afternoon.  The 
business  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  conducted  in  a  good  degree  of 
harmony,  with  the  exception  that  the  large  debts  made  on  account 
of  the  boarding-school,  made  laborious  work.  Moses  Beede,  Philip 
G.  Dorland,  Asenath  Clark,  Abigail  Hanson,  Mary  Ann  Fisher, 
Mary  B.  Pinkham,  and  Bridget  Haight,  were  in  attendance.  Our 
Alum  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting  was  given  up  to  Ohio  Yearly  Meet- 
ing; and  it  appears  to  be  now  fairly  settled  that  the  new  Western 
Yearly  Meeting,  at  Plainfield,  is  to  be  opened  in  1858.  This  year  is 
the  thirtieth  that  I  have  served  the  Yearly  Meeting  as  clerk.  I  have 
felt  the  weight  of  this  important  service,  very  deeply.  I  believe 
that  through  great  kindness  and  mercy,  a  good  Providence  has 
helped  me.  .'^ 
We  have  had  much  deep  feeling  for  our  dear  William  and  Sarah 
and  their  family  in  Kansas,  as  well  as  for  the  other  Friends  in  that 
territory,  during  the  civil  war  which  has  lately  been  permitted  to 
exist  in  that  beautiful  but  politically  disturbed  country.  William 
and  his  family,  and  several  of  their  associates  left  their  homes  in 
the  Eight-month,  and  removed  across  the  river  into  the  State  of 
Missouri,  temporarily,  for  greater  safety  to  their  persons  and  prop- 
ertv,  for  about  three  weeks,  returning  in  the  Ninth-month.  The 
citizens  of  Missouri,  where  they  stopped,  treated  them  respectfully 


» 


1856.]  LIFE  OF  ELUAH  COFFIN.  153 

and  kindly.  We  were  greatly  surprised,  and  made  joyful  by  the 
appearance  of  our  dear  AVilliam,  just  before  the  late  Yearly  Meet- 
ing ;  and  comforted  by  his  stay  with  us  for  about  two  weeks.  He 
is  now  gone  back,  and  our  earnest  desires  for  their  preservation 
continue. 

Asenath  Clark  and  Moses  Beede  went  immediately  homeward 
after  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
11 


154 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1856. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Indiasa  Bible  AssociATtox  (if  Friends — New  Year — Visit  to  Kansas — 
Western  Yearly  Meeting — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting. 

Eleventh-month  17.— This  date  does  not  pass  over,  without  giving 
me  cause  for  the  most  serious  reflection,  it  being  my  birth-day.  I 
am  fifty-eight  years  old  to-day  ;  gratitude  is  due  from  me  to  the 
good  Giver  for  my  good  health,  and  the  energies,  physical  and  men- 
tal yet  granted  to  me. 

Twelfth-month  1.— Our  friend  Hannah  Peirson,  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  residing  temporarily  at  Indianapolis,  is  engaged  in  a 
religious  visit  to  the  meetings  and  families  in  our  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing.   My  dear  wife  goes  with  her  in  part  of  the  service. 

We  have  had  much  dry  weather  this  season  ;  the  fall  has  had  less 
rain  than  usual,  and  the  weather  has  not  been  severely  cold. 

6th. — Our  Quarterly  Meeting  was  large  for  the  season.  Our 
friends  Wm.  and  Ann  Kenworthy  made  returns  of  their  certificates, 
after  a  long  and  satisfactory  visit  to  New  England.  Abigail  Han- 
son and  her  husband  Timothy  Hanson,  in  attendance. 

7th. — At  eight  o'clock  p.  m.,  our  stable  was  destroyed  by  fire.  A 
large  number  assembled  to  witness  the  conflagration,  and  to  render 
assistance. 

Our  dear  children  Wm.  H.  and  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  and  Eli  and 
Mary  C.  Johnson,  are  with  us. 

23d. — Last  night  at  nine  o'clock  r.  m.,  the  mercury  went  down  to 
eight  degrees  below  zero  at  our  house,  their  being  considerable  wind. 
At  five  o'clock  A.  m.  this  morning,  the  degree  was  five  below  zero. 
The  coldest  night  we  have  had  this  winter. 

My  dear  wife  is  still  accompanying  Hannah  Peirson.  They  have 
visited  the  families  of  Whitewater  and  Chester,  and  are  now  engaged 
among  those  of  Hopewell. 

25th. — My  wife  returned  to-day.  H.  P.  has  gone  home,  her  visit 
being  accomplished. 

We  have  very  fine  winter  weather,  cold  but  moderate. 


[1856,  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  155 

I  have  been  reading  Lieuts.  Herndin  and  Gibbons'  account  of 
tlieir  travel  across  South  America,  exploring  the  country  watered 
by  the  Amazon,  and  its  tributaries. 

We  are  also  reading  this  winter,  Dr.  Kane's  narrative  of  his  sec- 
ond explorations  in  the  Arctic  regions,  in  search  of  Sir  John 
Franklin.  The  account  is  filled  with  sad  interest,  intermixed  as  it 
is,  with  so  much  novelty,  and  so  much  of  disaster. 

We  also  read  the  Journal  of  Margaret  Woods ;  Gurney's 
Thoughts  on  Habit  and  Discipline,  and  other  interesting  religious 
matter. 

A  chapter  daily  of  the  Bible,  at  the  breakfast-table,  continues  to 
afford  us  interest,  instruction,  edification  and  comfort. 

The  business  of  the  Citizens'  Bank  has  increased  so  largely,  that 
more  of  that  of  the  branch  bank  has  fallen  upon  me.  I  have  been 
very  busy. 

31st. — The  charter  of  our  bank,  for  discounting  and  circulating 
privileges,  now  expires.  I  have  been  engaged  in  the  bank  ever 
since  it  was  opened  in  1834,  now  over  twenty-two  years.  To-day, 
I  close  it.  The  next  two  years,  I  expect,  if  able,  to  be  engaged  in 
settling  up  the  affairs  of  the  bank. 

The  new  bank  of  the  State  goes  into  operation  on  the  2d  of  next 
month.    Our  son  Charles  is  cashier. 

First-month  1,  1857. — I  have  been  moving  the  furniture,  etc.,  of 
our  office  up  stairs,  where  I  am  to  be  occupant,  in  closing  up  the 
affairs  of  the  bank. 

First-month  2. — The  new  bank  was  opened  to-day,  with  fair  pros- 
pects. I  feel  rather  singular  in  ray  new  office,  but  we  have  a  com- 
fortable apartment,  and  I  feel  a  pleasure  in  the  idea  of  being  released 
from  many  cares  which  have  heretofore  rested  upon  me.  I  expect 
labor  and  cares  where  I  am,  but  look  for  a  decided  abatement  of 
both,  which,  it  seems  to  me,  will  be  very  grateful  to  me. 

16th. — Getting  along  pretty  well,  and  I  feel  in  a  good  degree  com- 
fortable. 

Our  son,  Eli  Johnson,  is  gone  to  Kansas,  and  elsewhere  in  the 
west,  on  a  journey  of  exploration.  His  wife,  our  dear  Mary,  is 
staying  with  us  during  his  absence.  It  is  very  pleasant  to  us  to 
have  her  company.    He  left  on  the  first  instant. 

23d. — This  morning  the  mercury  went  down  in  our  thermometer 
to  eighteen  degrees  below  zero ;  yesterday  it  was  sixteen,  decidedly 


156 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  '  [1857. 


the  coldest  weather,  so  f;ir,  of  this  winter :  hut  we  have  had  a  good 
deal  of  cold,  pretty  steady,  not  so  variable  as  at  some  times. 

Second-month  22. — Since  the  cold  weather  above  noted,  we  have 
had  a  time  of  mild  soft  weather.  The  ice  has  been,  generally,  bro- 
ken up  in  this  climate,  and  the  rivers  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Missouri 
have  become  well  supplied  with  water  and  open  for  navigation. 

Third-month  3. — Our  son,  Eli  Johnson,  returned  from  Kansas 
this  morning  in  good  health.  Quite  glad  to  hear  a  good  report  of 
our  children  and  other  relations  in  that  country. 

To-day  I  have  heard  of  the  decease  of  my  cousin  Elihu  Coffin, 
of  New  Garden,  in.  North  Carolina,  which  oc'curred  on  the  tenth  of 
last  month. 

4th. — This  is  the  last  day  of  the  present  Congress,  and  the  day 
on  which  the  President,  newly  elected,  James  Buchanan,  and  Vice 
President,  John  C.  Breckenridge,  receive  their  offices. 

Fourth-month  6. — Since  last  date  I  have  been  engaged  in  my  new 
office;  the  location  is  comfortable,  and  the  business  is  not  so  press- 
ing as  formerly. 

Our  dear  children,  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson,  have  arrived  here, 
on  their  way  to  Kansas,  to  spend  the  summer,  and  expect  to  go  for- 
ward to-morrow. 

The  rowdy  young  men  who  are  supposed  to  havo  set  fire  to  our 
stable,  and  to  other  buildings  in  town,  have  had  a  trial,  and  have  ul- 
timately been  permitted,  by  consent,  to  bail,  under  engagement  to 
leave  the  State  to  return  no  more.  The  impression  of  their  guilt  is 
very  strong,  but  the  evidence  is  not  entirely  positive. 

Our  friend,  John  L.  Eddy,  who  has  been  traveling  for  about 
three  months  past  among  Friends  in  the  western  part  of  this  State, 
has  returned,  and  he  attended  our  meeting  yesterday,  and  was  ex- 
tensively engaged  in  labor.  Had  an  appointed  meeting  at  the 
Methodist  meeting-house,  in  Bichmond,  at  half  past  seven  P.  M. 

The  weather  has  been  dry  and  mild  for  some  time  past — but 
yesterday  and  to-day  it  is  stormy  and  cold.  Snow,  with  thermome- 
ter fifteen  degrees  and  high  wind. 

^  It  now  seems  probable  that  the  "Atlantic  Telegraph"  Line, 
which  was  begun  some  time  ago,  will  soon  be  completed.  If  suc- 
ful,  this  will  open  a  telegraph  communication  between  this  country 
and  England. 


1857.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


157 


The  Ohio  and  Mississippi  railroad,  by  which  the  connection  be- 
tween Cincinnati  and  ^St.  Louis  will  be  made  more  direct,  seems 
likely  soon  to  be  prepared  for  travel. 

The  pro-slavery  territorial  legislature  of  Kansas  has  adjourned, 
after  passing  some  exceedingly  bad  laws,  favoring  their  objects  in 
planting  slavery  in  that  fine  territory. 

Charles  Dickinson,  George  Dickinson  and  Thomas  Newby  and  their 
families,  have  recently  gone  forward  to  settle  in  that  country. 

I  have  commenced  reading  "Kobinson's  Palestine,"  which  ap- 
pears likely  to  interest  me  much. 

Our' boarding-school  was  attended  by  about  one  hundred  and  six- 
ty students  in  the  winter  session.  I  visited  the  school,  frequently, 
for  the  purpose  of  encouraging  and  assisting  in  Scriptural  instruc- 
tion. A  very  interesting  collection  of  young  people.  The  number 
is  much  smaller,  as  yet,  in  the  present  session,  a  little  under  sixty. 

Fifth-month  1 — The  weather  has  remained  very  cool  for  the  sea- 
son, for  a  month  or  more  past,  but  is  now  milder,  with  a  most 
refreshing  rain. 

Our  First-day  school  was  re-opened  on  the  twelfth  ultimo,  with 
eighty-nine  in  attendance,  and  favorable  prospects  for  an  orderly 
school.    We  had  one  hundred  and  six  last  First-day. 

Our  beloved  friend  Jared  Patterson,  an  aged  minister,  and  partic- 
ular friend  of  mine,  departed  this  life  on  Seventh-day,  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  last  month,  at  his  residence  at  Walnut  Ridge.  His  end  is 
considered  to  be  entirely  resigned  and  peaceful. 

A  most  affectionate  letter  received  from  my  dear  friend  Benjamin 
Seebohm  informs  me  that  he  has  completed  the  translation  of  our 
Tract  on  Christian  Doctrines  into  the  German  language,  according 
to  our  request. 

4th. — A  cold  north-east  rain  with  considerable  wind. 

Our  new  stable,  built  on  the  same  foundation  of  that  which  was 
destroyed  by  fire  last  Twelfth-month,  is  now  nearly  completed. 

We  had  an  attendance  of  one  hundred  and  ten  at  our  First-day 
school  yesterday.  The  order  is  excellent,  and  the  whole  scene  is 
exceedingly  interesting.  I  feel,  very  deeply,  the  responsibility- 
with  a  strong  desire  that  the  school  may  be  conducted  religiously 
and  weightily  and  profitably  to  both  students  and  teachers  and  all 
concerned.  I  have  no  doubt  that  this  will  be  the  case  if  we  labor 
with  honest  perseverence  and  dwell  under  a  proper  concern.   I  was 


158  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  ,  [1857. 

at  the  boarding-scliool  at  half-past  three  P.  M.  and  read  Scripture 
with  the  girls. 

31st — The  weather  has  continued  remarkably  cool  for  the  season, 
up  to  the  present  date,  and  vegetation  has  been  so  late  and  back- 
ward, that  provisions  for  animals  have  run  short  and  the  prices  be- 
come high.  Corn  is  75  cents  the  bushel,  or 'over;  oats  60  cents 
and  upward;  Hay  $18  to  $20  the  ton;  Irish  potatoes  $1  25  to  $2 
the  bushel ;  wheat  $1  50  to  $1  75  ;  flour  $7  and  upward  the  barrel ; 
good  beef-steak  12J  cents  the  pound ;  butter  22  to  25  cents;  sugar 
double  the  old  prices,  etc.  etc.  We  have  had  fine  rains  and  the 
grass  is  now  coming  forward  rapidly. 

To-day  we  had  one  hundred  students  in  attendance  at  our  First- 
day  school :  on  last  First-day  we  had  one  hundred  and  twenty-one. 

Sixth-month  4. — Meeting  for  Sufferings.  Well  attended.  The 
members  in  Alum  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting  did  not  attend,  being 
considered  no  longer  as  members,  that  meeting  being  now  attached 
to  Ohio  Yearly  Meeting. 

5th  and  6th. — Quarterly  Meeting.  The  business  was  transacted 
in  a  good  degree  of  brotherly  feeling.  George  Carter  and  wife,  and 
Ann  Hoskins,  present,  with  minutes. 

7th. — First-day. — A  large  meeting.  At  our  Scriptural  school, 
this  morning,  we  had  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  in  attendance ; 
and  many  visiters. 

Basil  Brightwell  died  on  the  fifth,  and  was  buried  this  afternoon. 

8th. — I  received  the  appointment  of  special  administrator  to 
the  estate  of  Basil  Brightwell. 

13th. — Attended  Westgrove  Monthly  Meeting,  at  Fairfield,  on  a 
committee  of  education  and  schools. 

14th. — We  were  visited  at  our  Scriptural  school  by  James  Ayars, 
secretary  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  who  made  some 
interesting  remarks  to  the  school.  Clementina  Noyes  was  also  pre- 
sent, recently  a  Missionary  in  Hindostan,  and  she  gave  the  school 
some  interesting  statements  concerning  the  Hindoos  and  the  mis- 
sion, and  recited  the  Lord's  Prayer  in  the  Hindoo  language. 

In  the  afternoon,  she  went  with  us  to  the  boarding-school. 

17th. — We  have  continued  copious  rains.  Last  season  was  de- 
cidedly dry ;  this  season  is  decidedly  wet  so  far.  Crops  of  small 
grain  and  grass  look  fine. 

29th  and  30th. — We  had  a  pleasant  visit  from  George  C.  and  Del- 


1857.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


159 


phini  Mendenhall,  of  North  Carolina.  They  have  been  in  Ohio, 
haviiij^  brought  out  to  th;it  State  for  freedom  thirteen  shvves.  They 
have  now  set  free  in  all  about  fifty,  and  have  thirty  yet  at  home. 

Having  taken,  jointly  with  Jesse  P.  Siddall,  the  office  of  admin- 
istrator to  the  estate  of  Basil  Brightwell,  I  am  now  engaged  in  set- 
tling business  connected  therewith,  in  addition  to  my  regular  busi- 
ness in  the  bank. 

There  is  still  much  cool  weather  for  the  season,  with  rains  fre- 
quently.   The  country  is  exceedingly  beautiful. 

Elghth-monthl  17. — We  ure  still  blessed  with  a  good  share  of 
health,  demanding  our  constant  gratitude. 

Our  children,  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson,  returned  from  Kansas  this 
evening.    They  appear  well,  and  we  received  them  joyfully. 

25th. — This  week  is  the  State  Teachers'  Association  in  Richmond. 
It  is  pretty  numerously  attended.  We  have  for  our  guests,  Eli- 
phalet  Pray  Cole,  and  his  wife,  Pamelia,  from  Bloomington,  in  this 
State.  They  have  a  female  academy  there.  We  have  been  much 
interested  with  their  company.  We  also  had  a  call  from  John  M. 
Mclntyre,  of  Indianapolis,  agent  of  the  American  S.  S.  Union,  in 
whose  acquaintance  we  took  much  interest. 

Ninth-month  3d. — The  Ohio  Life  and  Trust  Co.  has  f;iiled,  and 
since  its  failure  several  banking-houses  in  New  York  and  Cincin- 
nati have  suspended.  It  is  a  time  of  much  excitement  and  alarm 
in  matters  of  finance  and  business.  The  season  continues  very  fine. 
There  is  promise  of  excellent  crops  of  corn. 

Tenth-month  16. — Since  my  last  date,  another  of  our  large  annual 
assemblies,  our  Yearly  Meeting,  has  been  held.  It  has  been  as 
usual,  very  large.  Before  another  year  shall  roll  around,  the  new 
Western  Yearly  Meeting  is  to  be  set  up  and  held  ;  and  it  is  thought 
that  at  Whitewater  it  will  never  be  so  large  again.  We  had  in  ac- 
ceptable  attendance  Robert  and  Sarah  Lindsay,  Priscilla  Green  and 
Mary  Nicholson,  from  ICngland  ;  John  Header,  and  Eli  and  Sybil 
Jones,  and  Charles  P.  Coffin,  sen.,  from  New  England;  Wm.  Henry 
Chase,  from  New  York  State,  and  Joseph  Brown,  from  Canada- 
The  business  of  the  meeting  was  conducted  in  much  harmony,  and 
there  has  been  evidence  of  a  deep  feeling  of  brotherly  love.  Such 
seasons  are  to  be  highly  prized  ;  the  comfort  and  enjoyment  is  more 
than  we  can  express.  We  had  interesting  meetings  on  Sixth-day 
evening  and  First-day  evening,  to  consider  what  further  we  can  do 


160 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1857. 


toward  the  circulation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  among  all  classes,  and 
in  all  countries  :  the  result  was  the  formation  of  the  "  Indiana  Bible 
Association  of  Friends.''  This  is  a  cause  in  which  many  hearts  are 
warmed;  and  devout  prayer  ascends,  I  have  no  doubt,  from  many, 
that  the  Divine  blessing  may  rest  upon  and  prosper  our  labors. 

Elijali  Coffin  here  casually  remarks  upon  an  important 
subject,  to  which,  from  other  sources  than  his  private  mem- 
oranda, it  is  known  that  he  had  contemplated  upon  for  a 
long  period,  with  a  deep  concern  resting  upon  his  mind, 
that  with  Friends  as  a  Society,  greater  activity  and  more 
energetic  measures  should  be  taken  for  the  dissemination 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures.  Constrained  by  the  love  of  Christ, 
he  was  first  to  stimulate  to  action  the  large  body  of  Friends 
^  there  assembled,  expressing  his  convictions,  that  in  view  of 
the  Divine  blessings  that  we  receive  as  a  people,  "  we  should 
enter  upon  the  labor  ourselves,"  that  "  our  duty  is  plain," 
and  that  we  shall  not  stand  clear  in  the  day  of  righteous 
judgment,  when  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be  made 
known,  if  we  neglect  or  refuse  to  do  good  to  our  fellow- 
men,  when  it  is  so  plainly  in  our  power. 

"  Impressed  with  the  inestimable  value  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures," he  had  for  many  years  personally  participated  in 
the  spread  of  the  Gospel  truths  "  among  all  classes  of 
people  in  our  own  and  other  countries,"  by  co-operating 
with  the  American  Bible  Society  and  its  auxiharies,  and 
with  the  Bible  Association  of  Friends  of  Philadelphia  and 
its  confederates  in  the  west,  but  his  anxious  desire  that  his 
particular  Yearly  Meeting  should  be  more  actively  engaged 
in  the  work,  led  him  to  press  the  subject  upon  the  atten- 
tion of  his  friends,  that  united  action  should  be  taken, 
which  resulted,  as  has  been  seen,  in  the  formation  of  the 
Indiana  Bible  Association  of  Friends. 

Nor  did  he  confine  his  attention  merely  to  the  limits  of 


1857.  ] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


161 


his  own  Yearly  Meeting ;  his  ardent  interest  in  the  subject 
led  him  to  devote  much  time  in  the  later  period  of  his  life, 
in  voluntarily  attending  all  the  Yearly  Meetings  on  the 
American  continent  (with  two  exceptions),  and  many  of  the 
subordinate  meetings,  with  the  especial  view  to  advocate  a 
more  extended  system  for  the  difilision  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, by  Friends  in  their  different  localities.  His  exertions 
for  the  furtherance  of  this  object  were  indefatigable  until 
the  close  of  his  life,  and  the  compiler  of  this  volume  will 
long  remember  how  earnestly  he  labored  to  prepare  for 
publication  the  Fourth  Annual  Report  of  the  Indiana  Bible 
Association  (for  1861),  not  many  weeks  before  the  close  of 
his  earthly  labors,  at  a  time  when  he  struggled  against  his 
own  feelings  of  weakness  and  distress  to  perform  tlie  task, 
and  was  so  enfeebled  by  disease,  that  he  frequently  ex- 
hausted his  small  remnant  of  physical  strength. 
He  continues  his  account  of  the  Yearly  Meeting: 

The  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  particularly  solemn. 

There  is  great  reason  to  bless  the  good  name  of  the  Lord  for  his 
kindness  and  mercy,  and  his  many  favors  to  us  at  this  time. 

John  Header  and  Joseph  Brown  went  toward  Iowa,  Robert  and 
Sarah  Lindsay  toward  Baltimore,  and  thence  southward.  Chas.  F. 
Coffin,  sen.,  designed  to  attend  Baltimore  Yearly  Meeting,  and  so  did 
Eli  and  Sybil  Jones,  but  the  latter  having  proceeded  to  Cincinnati, 
were  detained  there  several  days  by  the  indisposition  of  Sybil. 

Elaventli-month  13. — My  wife  and  myself  set  off  this  morning  on 
a  visit  to  our  children,  William  H.  and  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  in  Ohio. 
We  arrived  at  their  house  soon  after  dark.  It  afforded  us  n^uch 
joy  to  meet  again  together.  We  found  them  and  their  four  fine 
children  all  in  excellent  health. 

15th. — -Attended  their  meeting. 

The  weather  became  unsettled,  and  rain  fell  almost  every  day  in 
the  week  following;  and  toward  the  last^f  the  week  it  became 
much  colder.  The  roads  being  frozen  up,  were  so  rough  that  it 
was  thought  imprudent  to  attempt  to  attend  their  Quarterly  Meeting 
on  Seventh-day. 


162 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1858. 


We  returned  home  on  Second-day,  the  23d. 

25th. — It  is  remarkably  cold  for  the  season  ;  the  mercury  sunk 
down  to  five  degrees  below  zero  this  morning. 

Ticelfth-moiifh  5. — We  had  an  agreeable  Quarterly  Meeting. 

An  auxiliary  to  the  Indiana  Bible  Association  of  Friends  was 
organized  on  the  4th. 

8th. — Richard  and  Susan  B.  Pedrick  set  off  on  their  religious 
visit  to  Jamaica  this  morning. 

13th. — Micajah  Henley  died  this  morning,  about  one  o'clock. 

14th. — Funeral  of  Micajah  Henley ;  large  attendance. 

The  weather  mild  and  pleasant,  for  the  season,  for  a  week  past. 

A  distressing  state  of  financial  embarrassment  has  overspread 
/  the  country  for  sixty  days  past,  causing  suspension  of  specie  pay- 

ments by  nearly  or  quite  all  of  the  eastern  and  southern  banks. 
The  New  York  and  New  England  banks  resumed  on  the  12th  inst. 

First-month  2,  1858. — The  rapid  flight  of  time  is  very  frequently 
a  subject  of  thought,  and  of  very  serious  reflection.  The  coming 
in  of  .another  new  year  brings  up  this  subject  vividly  to  our  atten- 
tion. Another  circumstance  is  added  to-day.  We  have  just 
followed  to  the  grave  an  amiable  young  woman,  who,  having  just 
come  to  maturity,  lias  been  removed  by  death — Susan  Barnard, 
daughter  of  Paul  Barnard.  The  funeral  was  large ;  and  many 
seem  to  feel  the  occurrence  much  ;  and  we  may  hope  that  the 
warning  which  it  gives  will  have  an  instructive  eS"eet  on  her 
associates  and  others. 

The  weather  is  remarkably  mild  for  the  season. 

Aflfairs  in  Kansas  still  much  unsettled. 

I  have  made  much  progress  in  settling  and  closing  the  business 
of  the  branch  of  the  State  bank.  The  debts  to  the  bank  are  now 
reduced  from  §500,000  to  less  than  §100,000,  and  the  outstanding 
bank  notes  from  $333,000  to  less  than  $40,000. 

Second-month  3. — It  has  now  been  a  month  since  my  mem- 
orandums above.  Although  by  Divine  Providence  our  lives  are 
continued  much  in  the  same  course,  yet  many  great  and  solemn 
changes  have  taken  place  with  some.  In  the  weekly  announce- 
ment of  deaths,  I  see  the  names  of  several  with  whom  I  had 
intimate  and  aflfectionate  acquaintance.  And  we  may  reflect,  too, 
that  the  distance  between  us  and  eternity  is  now  one  month 
shorter. 


1858.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


163 


On  the  morning  of  the  27th  ult.,  our  young  friend  Geo.  Harvey, 
son  of  William  Harvey,  departed  this  life,  and  was  buried  on  the 
28th.  His  decease  was  not  unexpected  ;  and  it  is  comfortably 
hoped  tliat  he  came  to  his  end  in  the  confidence  of  faith  and  in 
peace. 

At  our  Monthly  Meeting,  on  the  24th,  an  address  to  our  Friends 
in  Kansas  was  adopted,  and  the  business  of  the  meeting  was  agree- 
ably transacted ;  but  at  the  close,  the  cause  of  the  Indiana  Bible 
Association  of  Friends  being  opened  to  men  and  women  Friends, 
with  partition  open  by  consent,  some  severe  opposition  appeared, 
and  a  discussion  followed  which  was  very  painful. 

Yesterday,  the  2d,  was  our  marriage  day,  in  1820.  We  look 
back  to  the  scenes  of  the  day  with  vivid  interest.  Gratefulness 
should  ever  pervade  our  hearts  when  we  think  of  our  union,  and 
also  for  the  blessings  with  which  a  good  Providence  has  seen  fit  to 
favor  us. 

After  several  weeks  of  mild  weather,  we  now  have  it  a  little 
colder,  with  snow ;  but  not  severe  yet. 

5th. —  Mercury  at  zero  this  morning;  the  coldest  we  have  had 
since  about  the  2Gth  of  Eleventh-month  last. 

22d. — Mercury  ten  degrees  below  zero  this  morning;  the  coldest 
we  have  had.  It  was  minus  about  .six  or  seven  on  the  2Gth  of 
Eleventh-month  last. 

23d. — Mercury  six  degrees  below  zero  this  morning.  We  have 
fine  weather,  with  snow  on  the  ground. 

I  have  been  engaged  at  intervals,  for  a  considerable  time  past,  in 
reading  the  great  work  by  Dr.  Edward  Robinson,  entitled  "  Biblical 
Researches  in  Palestine,''  etc.  I  have  been  deeply  interested  in  the 
details. 

The  paiLLc  in  business  aiFairs  seems  now  pretty  well  over,  and 
commerce  is  again  resuming  its  usual  course.  The  crops  of  the 
year  1857  were  generally  very  fine;  the  prices  of  produce  generally 
have,  of  course,  become  much  more  moderate.  Flour  went  up,  at 
one  time,  to  about  $1.00  the  hundred  pounds — it  is  now  about 
$2.25  ;  wheat  is  75  to  90  cents  per  bushel ;  corn  is  30  to  37J  cents 
per  bushel;  oats  about  33  cents  per  bushel;  potatoes  30  to  10  cents 
per  bushel.  The  range  of  pork  has  been  from  $4.50  to  $5.50  the 
hundred  pounds;  yet  these  have  not  been  the  outside  limits.  The 
prices  of  sugars  and  molasses  have  been  abated  full  one  half;  sugar 


164 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1858. 


at  one  time  sold  at  11  to  12  cents  wholesale,  and  14  to  16  cents 
retail ;  it  can  now  be  had  at  G  to  7  cents  wholesale,  and  at  retail  to 
correspond.  Beef  has  declined  from  last  year's  prices,  but  the 
decline  has  not  been  so  large. 

By  the  continued  blessing  of  a  good  Providence,  we  enjoy  a 
share  of  excellent  health ;  but,  spiritually,  many  afflictions  are 
permitted  us  to  endure  at  this  time. 

27th. — I  attended  Milford  Monthly  Meeting,  much  to'  my  satis- 
faction. A  request  for  the  establishment  of  a  Friends'  Meeting 
on  Fall  Creek,  near  Stranger,  in  Kansas,  was  brought  before  our 
3Ionthly  Meeting  on  the  24:th,  and  there  united  with,  and  forwarded 
to  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  same  request  was  laid  before  Mil- 
ford  Monthly  Meeting  to-day,  and  was  acted  upon  in  the  same 
manner.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting,  about  thirty-three  Friends 
gave  their  names  as  members  and  contributors  to  the  Indiana  Bible 
Association  of  Friends. 

Third-month  2. — Mercury  at  zero  this  morning.  Fine  weather, 
with  snow  on  the  ground. 

5th  and  6th. — Our  Quarterly  Meeting.  \\^e  had  good  meetings; 
business  being  conducted  harmoniously,  and  good  feeling  prevailed. 
The  request  for  a  meeting  in  Kansas  was  granted.  At  the  meet- 
ing of  our  Bible  Association,  on  Sixth-day  afternoon,  general  good 
feeling  prevailed,  and  favor  toward  the  cause.  The  bitter  and 
afflicting  opposition  which  has  appeared  in  this  neighborhood  does 
not  seem  to  have  made  much  impression  in  other  places  in  our 
limits,  so  fur  as  appeared. 

Fifth-month  27. — Most  of  the  time  since  the  last  date  I  have 
been  engaged  in  my  ordinary  occupation  in  the  bank,  the  affairs  of 
which  are  now  being  rapidly  drawn  toward  a  close. 

The  past  winter  was  unusually  mild,  and  an  early  opening  of 
spring  weather  seemed  for  awhile  probable  ;  but  the  weather  has 
continued  cool  for  the  season  nearly  up  to  the  present  time,  with  a 
most  remarkable  quantity  of  rain.  Such  has  been  the  incessant 
succession  of  profuse  rains,  that  the  farmers  have  found  it  difficult, 
and  in  many  cases  impracticable,  to  get  their  crops  of  corn  planted. 
The  meadows  and  pastures  look  fine. 

On  Third  day  the  11th  instant,  my  dear  wife  set  off,  with  a  com- 
mittee of  our  Yearly  Meeting  to  Iowa,  on  a  visit  to  the  Quarterly 
Meetings  of  Salem  and  Pleasant  Plain;  a  journey  which  she  has 


1858.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


165 


been  enabled  to  perform  ;  and  tbcy  returned  on  the  evening  of  25th 
instant,  having  attended  to  the  appointment  to  a  good  degree  of 
satisfaction. 

General  good  health  Iras  prevailed  in  our  neighborhood,  and  in 
the  country  generally,  during  the  winter  and  spring.  A  few  cases 
of  small  pox  have  occurred. 

Two  new  Quarterly  Meetings  came  into  the  family  of  Quarterlies 
in  our  Yearly  Meeting  this  season  in  Iowa, — Red  Cedar,  which  has 
been  opened  ;  and  We.-tern  Plain,  which  is  soon  to  be  opened. 

I  am  now  engaged  in  reading  Livingstone's  Travels  and  Discov- 
eries in  Africa,  which  I  find  very  interesting.  I  have  also  procured 
"  The  Testimony  of  the  Kocks,"'  and  design  to  give  it  a  careful 
perusal. 

The  weather  has  been  so  cool  and  rainy  on  several  First-day 
mornings,  that  we  have  not  had  a  favorable  opportunity  for  our 
Scriptural  school  at  Whitewater.  It  has,  however,  been  open  for 
several  weeks  (began  Fourth-month  12),  and  on  two  fair  days,  we 
had  over  one  hundred  in  attendance. 

Sixth-month  17. — Since  last  date,  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  the 
Quarterly  Meeting,  and  other  meetings  usually  held  about  that 
time,  have  taken  place,  and  were  in  good  degree  satisfactory.  The 
Quarterly  Meeting  was  attended  by  Jeremiah  Grinnell  and  his  com- 
panion, Doctor  Edmund  Albertson,  with  minutes  of  their  meeting  at 
home.  On  Seventh-day  evening,  the  5th,  we  had  an  interesting 
Bible  Meeting,  which  was  pretty  well  attended  considering  how 
rainy  the  weather  was. 

On  the  15th  we  had  a  pleasant  visit  from  our  friends  Marmaduke 
C.  Cope,  and  Sarah  his  wife,  and  Richard  Richardson  and  Hannah 
White  Richardson,  his  wife,  on  a  tour  in  the  west. 

20th. — For  some  time  past  I  have  entertained  the  idea  of  making 
a  visit  to  Kansas  this  year,  as  I  think  I  may  leave  home  and  my 
office  for  a  while,  without  any  great  disadvantage.  My  wife  has 
recently  had  some  thought  of  going  with  me,  if  I  should  go,  so 
that  we  may  make  a  visit  together  to  our  children  and  others. 

22d. — Having  come  fully  to  the  conclusion  to  go  to  Kansas,  we 
set  ofi'  by  railway,  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.;  eleven  o'clock  forty-five 
minutes  A.  M.  at  Indianapolis  ;  half  past  three  o'clock  at  Torre 
Haute.  Lost  forty-five  minutes  at  the  bayou  beyond  the  Wabash, 
for  the  finishing  of  a  repair  to  the  bridge. 


166 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAU  COFFIN. 


[1858. 


Half  past  seven  o'clock  at  Paris,  Illinois.    Supper  at  Shclbyville. 

23d. — At  Alton  at  four  o'clock  A.  M.    Took  boat  down  the  Mis- 
sissippi.   At  St.  Louis  at  seven  o'clock  to  breakfast.    Left  at  fif-- 
teon  minufes  past  eight  o'clock  for  Jefferson  City,  by  the  Pacific 
railroad. 

Dined  at  Hermann,  a  Swiss  or  German  settlement. 

At  Jefferson  City  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.  Left  by  boat  at  ten  o'clock 
p.  M.  24th,  25th,  2Gth  on  the  Missouri  river.  Arrived  at  Leav- 
enworth at  nine  o'clock  P.  M.,  2Gth. 

27th — Went  to  brother  Joel  Hiatt's  in  the  morning,  and  staid 
the  day  and  night  with  them.  We  looked  upon  the  situation  of 
Leavenworth  as  being  beautiful  and  well  adapted  for  a  large  popu- 
lation. We  passed  through  the  fort  grounds,  and  near  the  build- 
ings— the  place  is  beautiful.  The  Salt  Creek  valley,  in  which 
brother  Joel  Iliatt  resides  is  remarkably  fertile  and  beautiful.  The 
day  was  pleasantly  passed  in  quietness  with  his  family  and  John 
Broaddu.s'. 

28th. — Joel  went  with  us  to  William  H.  Coffin's.  We  were 
deeply  interested  with  the  beautiful  scenery  as  we  went.  Every 
thing  was  new  ;  all  interested  us. 

We  found  our  children,  William  and  Sarah,  and  their  family,  in 
pretty  good  health,  although  William  was  absent  from  home.  It 
was  very  pleasant  to  meet  with  them  again. 

29th. — Passed  the  day  principally  at  William's.  He  came  home 
about  noon.    We  were  rejoiced  to  meet. 

30th. — Fourth-daij.  —  To  meeting.  After  meeting  to  Charles 
Dickinson's. 

Seventh-month  1. — I  went  to  Leavenworth  with  William,  and  re- 
mained a  considerable,  portion  of  the  day.  Pteturned  back  in  the 
evening  with  Benajah  W.  Hiatt.  The  routes  going  and  returning 
were  both  very  interesting  to  me. 

2d. — Went  to  Benajah's ;  then  to  Jesse  D.  Hiatt's.  Unwell  in 
the  evening. 

3d. — Remained  about  William's  ;  still  indisposed. 

4th. — To  First-day  school  at  half  past  nine  o'clock  A.  m.  An 
interesting  attendance  of  about  twenty.  To  meeting  at  eleven 
o'clock.    We  had  a  comfortable  little  meeting. 

5th. — About  William's. 

6th. — Went  to  Thomas  Newby's  ;  an  interesting  trip. 


1858.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


167 


7tli. — To  Preparative  Meeting.  Afterward,  to  Eli  Wilson's. 
Then  to  James  Wilson's  and  Maria  liis  wife.  Azel  llogers  came 
in,  during  tlic  evening. 

8th. — William  and  I  went  to  Lawrence.  The  journey  nearly  all 
the  way  across  the  Delaware  Indian  lands  was  interesting.  Law- 
rence is  said  to  contain  about  two  thousand  inhabitants.  The  lo- 
cation is  well  chosen;  and  the  valley  south  beautiful  and  very 
fertile. 

9th — Called  at  Samuel  N.  Wood's  this  morning.  Then  went  on, 
by  the  high  road  south  of  the  Kansas,  to  Lecompton.  From  Le- 
compton  we  crossed  the  Kansas,  then  the  Grasshopper,  and  then 
went  home  through  the  Indian  lands. 

10th. — Rested  until  noon.    Then  went  to  George  Dickinson's. 

11th. — Fcrst  dai/. —  To  Scriptural  school.  Then  to  meeting. 
Afternoon,  rest  at  home. 

12th. — William  went  to  Leavenworth.  I  rode  out  to  go  to  see 
Henry  W^orthington  and  Elizabeth  his  wife  ;  but  did  not  get  there. 
S.  N.  Wood  and  Margaret  his  wife  called  at  William's. 

13th. — Rode  into  High  Prairie,  south.  Fine  ride.  William 
engaged  in  his  oat  harvest. 

14th. — Fourth-day. — To  meeting.  To  Charles  Dickinson's?  To 
B.  W.  Hiatt's. 

15th. — At  home.  William  unwell.  To  Henry  Worthington's. 
Called  to  see  Doctor  Robert  Wood.  Great  thunder  storm  at  night. 
Profuse  rain  continued  through  most  of  the  night. 

IGth. — At  William's.  Another  great  rain,  with  thunder  last 
niglit.  W^aters  extremely  high.  Funeral  of  a  neighbor.  The 
corpse  was  conveyed  across  Fall  Creek  on  a  raft  make  of  rails,  by 
several  men  who  swam.    W'illiam  better. 

17th. — More  rain  last  night.  To  Stranger  Creek  ;  still  very 
high.  To  Jesse  D.  Hiatt's  and  Eli  Wilson's.  Could  not  start  for 
Friends'  Shawnee  Mission  as  we  had  intended,  on  account  of  the 
high  waters. 

IStli. —  First-day. — To  meeting  after  Scripture  school.  After- 
noon rested.    Charles  and  Hannah  Dickinson  with  us  at  William's. 

19th. — Waters  lower,  but  not  fordable.  Fine  day.  William  at- 
tending to  his  wheat  and  oats. 

20th. — Set  off  with  William  for  Friends'  Shawnee  Mission. 
Crossed  Stranger  Creek.    Drove  most  of  the  day  across  the  Dela- 


168  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1858. 

ware  Indian  lands.  Arriving  at  an  Indian  ferry  at  the  Kansas,  we 
could  not  cross  on  account  of  the  high  stage  of  the  river.  We 
turned  back,  under  a  feeling  of  much  disappointment,  to  which  we 
were  obliged  to  submit,  and  went  to  the  Baptist  Mission  among 
the  Delawares,  where  we  were  kindly  taken  in. 

21st. — Our  visit  at  the  Baptist  Mission  has  been  very  interesting 
to  us.  They  have  about  sixty  students,  male  and  female,  some  of 
the  girls  nearly  grown,  who  appear  to  be  doing  well.  John  G. 
Pratt,  principal. 

Went  hence  to  Leavenworth,  where  we  dined  and  then  parted 
with  William,  who  started  homeward.  We  went  to  a  hotel.  Our 
boat  docs  not  go  until  morning. 

22d. — We  left  early  on  the  boat  "  John  D.  Perry,''  for  St.  Louis, 
on  our  way  homeward. 

23d. — On  the  Missouri. 

24th. — Arrived  early  at  Jefferson  City,  where  we  left  the  boat 
and  took  the  Pacific  railroad.  We  arrived  at  St.  Louis  about  thirty 
"'minutes  past  twelve. 

25th. — Left  St.  Louis  about  four  o'clock  p.  m.  and  arrived  at 
home  next  morning  at  about  ten,  thankful  for  the  favor  and  pre- 
servation which  had  been  allowed  to  us,  during  this  long  journey. 

On  the  day  of  arrival  I  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of 
our  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee,  and  upon  succeeding 
days  of  that  week  and  the  next,  I  was  busily  engaged  in  bringing 
up  the  business  of  my  olBce,  and  attending  to  various  concerns 
which  required  attention.  My  dear  wife  and  myself  had  been 
somewhat  unwell  in  Kansas,  and  the  weather  was  throughout  our 
journey  hot  and  depressing,  so  that  we  came  home  fatigued,  and 
feeling  somewhat  out  of  health,  but  hoped  to  become  better  after 
having  rest  and  refreshment  for  a  few  days. 

But  on  the  7th  of  the  Eighth-month,  we  were  both  taken  with 
chills  and  fever.  We  had  three  very  sick  days  before  the.  chills 
were  broken  off,  and  even  after  that  we  recovered  slowly.  My  wife 
did  not  recover  as  soon  as  I  did,  but  was  six  or  seven  weeks  pretty 
much  confined  about  house  and  home.  I  felt,  however,  that  good 
Providence  had  laid  the  hand  of  affliction  lightly  upon  us,  as  we 
might  have  suffered  much  more  than  we  did.  Our  daughter  Hannah 
Amelia  was  confined  with  illness  at  the  same  time. 

On  the  28th  of  the  Seventh-month,  our  son-in-law  William  A. 


1858.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN, 


169 


Rilmbo,  became  unwell,  and  his  complaint  growing  worse,  was  called 
typhoid  fever.  We  were  unable  to  visit  him  in  his  sickness,  but  he 
sank  lower,  and  finally,  on  Fourth-day,  the  11th  of  the  Eighth- 
month,  at  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  he  expired.  His  funeral  took 
place  on  the  next  evening,  the  burial  being  temporarily  at  White- 
water, was  largely  attended  by  numerous  friends  and  acquaintances. 

A  scene  of  this  kind  can  not  occur  without  bringing  home  deep 
reflections  at  once  serious  and  awful. 

Ninth-month  20. — On  the  17th  inst.,  I  left  home  to  attend  the 
new  Western  Yearly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Plainfield.  On  the 
18th,  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  was  opened  and 
held  to  good  satisfaction.  The  number  in  attendance  was  probably 
not  less  than  one  hundred  and  sixty. 

Two  public  Meetings  for  Worship  were  held  on  First-day,  the 
19th,  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  and  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  both  very  large. 
And  there  being  more  than  the  house  would  hold,  a  meeting  outside, 
largely  attended,  was  held  both  forenoon  and  afternoon.  The  meet- 
ing-house is  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet  long,  by  seventy-four  feet 
wide,  and  will  receive  about  two  thousand  persons. 

I  am  kindly  entertained  at  my  dear  friend  Eleazar  Bales'. 

On  this  day  the  20th,  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  formally  opened  at 
eleven  o'clock  a.  m.  The  attendance  appeared  to  fill  the  house,  and 
the  occasion  was  a  very  solemn  one.  A  committee  from  Indiana 
Yearly  Meeting,  one  from  Baltimore,  one  from  New  York,  and  one 
from  Ohio,  were  in  attendance.  B.  C.  Hobbs  was  appointed  clerk 
for  the  day,  and  afterward  continued  for  the  meeting. 

21st. — Meeting  continues  to  good  satisfaction.  A  Bible  Meeting- 
was  held  in  the  evening,  probably  five  or  six  hundred  Friends  in  at- 
tendance. 

22d. — Large  Meetings  for  Worship  to-day.  I  went  to  White- 
lick  and  attended  a  large  meeting  there.  Dined  at  Samuel  Moore's. 
In  the  evening  returned,  and  attended  another  Bible  Meeting,  at 
which  an  association  was  organized. 

23d. — After  a  satisfactory  meeting  to-day,  I  returned  home  in  the 
evening.  It  is  expected  that  the  business  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
will  be  closed  to-morrow.  Our  own  Yearly  Meeting  is  now  nearly 
at  hand. 

Our  daughter  Hannah  Amelia  joined  with  Mordecai  Morris 
12 


170 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1858 


White,  in  laying  before  our  Monthly  Meeting  on  the  22J  inst.  pro- 
posals of  marriage,  to  which  our  consent  has  been  given. 

This  is  always  a  very  serious,  a  very  important  engagement.  We 
feel  the  anticipated  loss  of  our  dear  Hannah  from  our  ftimily  circle 
very  much. 

2Sth. — Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  ten  o'clock  A. 
M.    Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  o'clock  p.  M. 

Our  friends  Moses  H.  Beede,  James  Jones,  John  Scott,  John  W. 
Tatum,  Rebecca  T.  UpdegrafF,  James  Van  Blarcom,  David  H. 
Bennett,  Sarah  Shotwell,  Thomas  Smith,  Daniel  P.  Haviland,  Wm. 
R.  Taber,  Hannah  Peirson  and  Daniel  Barker,  Ministers  from  other 
parts,  are  in  attendance  at  the  present  Yearly  Meeting,  with  a  num- 
ber of  Elders,  as  companions  and  otherwise. 

29th. — Yearly  Meeting  for  Public  Worship  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. 
Indian  Committee  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.  Book  and  Tract  Meeting 
at  six  o'clock  P.  M. 

30th. — Fifth-day. — Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  at  eleven 
o'clock,  largely  attended,  and  yet  perceptibly  smaller  I  believe,  than 
when  our  Western  friends  were  associated  with  us.  A  good  meeting. 
Many  Friends  with  us  from  abroad. 

African  Committee  at  four  o'clock  P.  si.  Education  at  six  o'clock 

p.  M. 

Tenth-month  1. — Met  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  This  morning  I  was 
released  from  the  Clerk's  services,  after  thirty-one  years  service ; 
and  Charles  F.  Coffin  appointed  clerk.  The  large  and  religious  ex- 
pression of  unity  and  sympathy  with  me  in  my  past  services,  was 
truly  affecting  and  humbling.  The  meeting  caused  a  minute  to  be 
made  thereon ;  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the  state 
of  Society. 

The  following  copy  of  the  minute  which  was  prepared 
by  one  of  the  assistant  clerks,  and  adopted  by  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  is  the  one  referred  to  in  the  preceding  memoran- 
dum : 

"  III  making  this  appointment  we  recur  with  sutisfiiction,  aud  believe  it  right 
to  record  the  feeling  of  unity  we  have  with  tlie  faithful  and  acceptable  services 
which,  with  Divine  assistance,  have  fur  thirty-one  years,  been  rendered  by  our 
beloved  friend  Elijah  Coffin,  who  uuw  retires  from  the  table." 


1858.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


171 


Our  regular  family  household  being  entertained  with  us  this  year 
is  smaller  than  at  some  past  times  ;  yet  very  agreeable,  as  follows  : 
William  Grossman,  of  Cincinnati ;  Harriet  Steer,  David  Hunt,  now 
of  Iowa;  Daniel  P.  Haviland  and  James  Congdcn,  of  State  of  New 
York  ;  John  W.  Tatum,  and  Amy  Y.,  his  wife,  of  "Wilmington, 
Delaware ;  Sarah  Smiley,  of  Philadelphia ;  Elizabeth  Jones,  of 
Smithficld,  Ohio ;  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson,  and  many  other  occa- 
sional visiters. 

Annual  Bible  Meeting  this  evening  at  six  o'clock  P.  M.  Largely 
attended ;  probably  one  thousand  persons  present — satisfactory. 

Tenth-month  2. — The  Yearly  Meeting  progresses  to  satisfaction. 

3d. — Two  large  meetings  to-day ;  one  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  the 
other  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.  ;  and  a  meeting  out-doors,  at  the  same 
time.    A  great  multitude  present. 

4th  and  5th. — These  two  days  were  occupied,  and  then  the  Yearly 
Meeting  closed.    A  very  solemn  and  tender  parting. 

13th. — The  winter  session  of  our  boarding-school  was  opened, 
with  pretty  good  prospects. 

25th. — Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee. 

Elevcn'h-month  3. — This  is  a  solemn  and  interesting  day  to  us ; 
joyous  to  our  young  people.  Our  dear  and  much  loved  daughter, 
Hannah  Amelia,  was  married  to  Mordecai  Morris  White  of  Cin- 
cinnati, and  left  for  that  city,  in  the  evening. 


172 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1859. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

RsADiNQ  Circles— DiiATu  of  John  Allkn — Western  and  Indiana  Yeaei-y 
Meetimgs — Sabbath  Schools — Visit  to  Washington  and  Eastern  Cities — 
JJew  York  and  New  England  Yearly  Meetings — Journey  to  Iowa — In- 
diana Yearly  Meeting — Visit  to  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting. 

Ele V en ih- month  17. — Always  an  interesting  date  to  me.  Tliis 
day  I  am  sixty  years  old;  the  thought  is  very  solemn. 

Twelfth-month  4th  and  5th. — We  had  an  agreeable  Quarterly 
Meeting  these  days.  Joseph  Brown,  of  Canada,  and  Eli  Xewlin, 
of  Fairfield,  Ohio,  in  attendance.  Samuel  Lloyd,  also,  from  Iowa, 
came  in,  and  was  acceptably  with  us. 

31st. — I  have  had  much  work  lately  in  bringing  the  business  of 
the  State  Bank  of  Indiana  to  a  close.  In  last  month  and  this,  I 
have  been  to  Indianapolis  several  times,  to  attend  the  meetings  of 
the  State  Board.  I  am  to-day  paying  out  tlie  final  dividends  of  our 
branch  bank  to  the  stockholders. 

First-month  1,  1859. — On  the  1st  day  of  the  Twelfth-mouth, 
1834,  I  opened  the  door  of  the  branch  at  Eichmond,  of  the  State 
Bank  of  Indiana.  This  day  I  close  it.  The  charter  of  the  bank 
has  expired,  and  its  business  is,  I  hope,  wound  up  honorabl}-  and 
profitably  to  the  State,  and  the  individual  stockholders. 

'  At  a  final  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  held 
Twelfth-month  24th,  1858,  the  following  resolution  was 
offered  by  Robert  Morrisson,  and  adopted : 

"  It  is  unanimoushj  Resolved,  That  in  consideration  of  the  able  .nid  faithful 
services  of  Elijah  CofBn  as  cashier  of  this  branch  from  its  first  organization  to 
its  close,  and  the  fidelity  and  promptitude  with  wliicli  lie  has  discharged  the 
various  and  important  duties  confided  to  his  care,  that  the  board  embrace  this 
opportunity  to  express  upon  our  Rliuutes  the  high  sense  entertained  of  his  offi- 
cial services  and  private  worth." 


To  this  resolution  Elijah  Coffin  responded  in  a  grateful 
manner,  expressing  his  thankfulness  for  the  support  he  had 


1859.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


173 


always  received  from  the  various  members  of  the  board, 
and  for  the  harmony  which  had  always  subsisted  between 
the  board  and  officers  in  the  transac  tion  of  the  various  and 
important  business  of  the  bank. 

From  the  "  Hichmond  Palladium,"  dated  February  10, 
1862,  containing  an  obituary  notice  of  his  decease,  we  ex- 
tract the  following  brief  delineation  of  his  business  char- 
acter, in  connection  with  the  bank  : 

*  *  "As  an  officer,  he  was  Aiithful,  upright  and  honest,  and 
had  in  view  more  the  interests  of  the  bank  than  his  own.  To  his 
methodical  business  habits  and  honest,  careful  management,  may  be 
attributed  much  of  the  success  of  that  excellent  institution  ;  the 
value  of  his  services  having  been  fully  appreciated  by  the  stock- 
holders and  the  public." 

On  the  close  of  that  institution  in  1859,  he  retired  from 
active  business. 

First-month  7. — According  to  the  request  of  William  A.Rambo,  to 
be  buried  in  his  own  lot,  in  Friends'  burial-ground,  near  Cummins- 
ville,  in  the  vicinity  of  Cincinnati,  he  was  disinterred  at  White- 
water this  morning,  and  the  corpse  was  accompanied  on  railway  by 
his  wife,  Miriam,  our  son  Charles,  and  ourselves;  and  we  were  met 
by  our  children  of  Cincinnati,  and  several  kind  Friends  of  that  city 
at  Cumminsville  ;  then  proceeding  to  the  burial-place,  the  remains 
were  laid  in  their  final  resting-place. 

Afterward  we  went  with  our  children  and  friends  to  the  city, 
and  staid  with  them  a  few  days. 

The  final  burial  of  our  son-in-law  seemed  a  solemn  duty,  and 
brought  back  to  our  minds  the  consideration  of  his  sufferings 
and  death,  with  deep  solemnity.  Our  dear  widow-daughter  now 
feels  as  if  she  had  performed  a  duty  made  incumbent  by  the  re- 
quest of  her  deceased  husband  while  living. 

In  the  evening,  attended  the  reading  circle,  where  we  met  with 
over  thirty  Friends,  with  most  of  whom  we  were  acquainted ;  a 
pleasant  interview. 

8th. —  Scventh-dai/. —  This  evening,  attended  a  meeting  of  the 


174  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1859. 

book  and  tract  committee  at  Doctor  David  Judkins';  which  was 
interesting. 

9th. — Two  meetings  to-day;  the  first  at  eleven,  the  other  at 
seven  o'clock  p.  m. 

10th. — Second-day. — This  evening,  attended  a  Bible  Meeting  at 
Friends'  meeting-house.  An  association  auxiliary  to  the  Indiana 
Bible  Association  of  Friends  was  organized.  About  sixty  mem- 
bers were  obtained,  and  one  hundred  dollars  subscribed. 

Returned  home  on  the  evening  of  the  eleventh. 

16th. — I  went  to-day  with  Enos  Pray  to  Smyrna  meeting  at 
eleven ;  thence  to  Chester,  an  appointed  meeting  at  three  o'clock 
P.  M.    Both  meetings  were  well  attended,  and  satisfactory. 

23d. — Clear  and  cold.    Thermometer  four  degrees  below  zero. 

First-day  school  continued  during  this  winter.  There  are  some- 
times four  classes  in  attendance — about  twenty-five  in  all. 

Delivered  a  lecture  of  an  hour  last  evening  to  the  students  and 
officers  of  the  boarding-school,  on  "  Business." 

Looking  back,  I  see  that  the  failure  in  the  filling  of  grain  in  the 
oat  crop,  was  greater  in  1858,  than  at  any  time  since  my  remem- 
brance. The  season  was  wet  in  general,  and  the  growth  suificiently 
large  ;  but  a  rust  and  a  blight  appeared  to  prevent  the  heads  from 
filling. 

The  wheat  crop  was  also  much  of  a  failure,  in  a  great  many  in- 
stances; but  in  others  there  was  good  wheat.  So  there  was  some 
good  oats.  Grass  and  hay  were  good.  It  was  difficult  to  plant 
corn,  on  account  of  the  extreme  wet  weather  at  the  season — so  the 
crop  was  short.  Many  fields  were  not  planted  at  all,  which  were 
intended  to  be — the  wet  preventing ;  but  in  other  fields  the  corn 
was  good,  the  land  being  such  as  could  be  tilled  with  less  difficulty 
in  wet  weather. 

First-month  29. — William  H.  Ladd  came  in,  in  the  evening,  on 
his  way  to  Illinois ;  it  was  pleasant  to  receive  him,  and  have  him 
with  us  until  Second-day  morning,  the  31st. 

31st. — A  pleasant  meeting  to-day  of  the  central  book  and  tract 
committee — and  after  that,  of  the  executive  committee  of  Indiana 
Bible  association. 

Second-month  G. — James  Owen  acceptably  with  us  at  meeting  to- 
day. 

Delivered  my  third  lecture  on  "Business  "  to  the  students  of  the 


» 


1859.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


175 


boarding-school  last  evening  —  James  Owen  present.  Barclay 
White  very  sick. 

10th. — Barclay  White,  son  of  Bethucl  C.  and  Hannah  White, 
died  this  morning  about  two  o'clock. 

Our  daughter  Miriam  and  I,  accompanied  the  sorrowing  party 
with  the  corpse,  as  far  as  Charlotteville,  and  then  returned. 

Thu  d-month  4  and  5. — We  had  an  agreeable  Quarterly  Meeting 
at  Milford.  Our  friend  Absalom  Dennis  obtained  a  certificate  to 
visit  the  meetings  of  Friends  belonging  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
North  Carolina,  and  some  other  religious  service. 

A  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  visit 
the  Monthly  Meetings,  for  their  help  and  encouragement.  The 
Friends  are  Jacob  Elliott,  Daniel  Williams,  Elijah  CoflSn,  John 
Miles,  Jesse  B.  Williams,  Levi  Jessup,  Naomi  CoflSn,  Ann  Ken- 
worthy,  Rachael  Bundy,  Mary  Jessup,  Esther  G.  Dickinson. 

8th. — James  Cockayne,  the  younger,  died  to-day. 

lOtli. — We  attended  the  funeral.    A  quiet,  solemn  time. 

12th. — The  past  winter  has  been  unusually  mild,  and  the  weather 
is  now  fine  and  spring-like,  at  a  much  earlier  date  than  occurs  in 
some  years. 

I  have  recently  read  '•  Trench  on  Bible  Revision,"  which  I  have 
found  interesting  and  informing.  The  subject  is  treated  of  learn- 
edly, yet  moderately  and  with  candor  and  fairness. 

My  wife  and  I  have  been  reading  together  of , evenings,  "  The 
Higher  Christian  Life,"  by  Doctor  Boardman,  and  find  it  a  lively, 
experimental,  and  instructive  work.  We  do  not  agree,  of  course, 
with  his  views  on  war,  and  on  some  other  minor  points;  but  esteem 
his  work  highly,  as  pervaded  with  a  high-toned  spirit  of  vital 
Christianity. 

Several  able  essays  in  the  "  Bibliotheca  Sacra,'"  have  not  failed  to 
interest  me  deeply,  upon  a  careful  reading  recently. 

A  "reading  circle"  was  formed  on  the  24th  of  the  Twelfth- 
month  last,  composed  of  over  forty  Friends,  who  have  met  mostly 
at  the  house  of  Charles  F.  Coffin,  and  listened  to  an  hour's  reading 
with  interest  and  edification.  The  have  also  met  once  each  at  Paul 
Barnard's,  Matthew  Barker's,  and  Achilles  Williams',  and  are  to 
meet  at  Clayton  Hunt's.  The  Memoirs  of  Hannah  C.  Backhouse 
have  had  the  first  attention,  being  a  recent  work,  and  has  not  failed 
to  be  deeply  interesting.    Meeting  on  Sixth-day  evening,  generally, 


176 


LIFE  OF    ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1859. 


at  seven  o'clock  p.  m.  Reading  matter  and  readers  selected  by  a 
eonimittee. 

A  historical  association,  for  essays  and  lectures  on  religious  and 
literary  subjects,  lias  been  recently  organized,  and  a  constitution 
adopted  on  the  evening  of  the  8tli  instant.  I  have  attended  one 
preliminary  meeting,  and  given  in  my  name  as  a  member.  We 
hope  to  have  a  goodly  number  of  intelligent  young  people  con- 
nected with  the  association,  and  that  good  may  come  of  it. 

I  have  been  for  some  time  past  engaged  in  preparing  a  volume 
of  "Scripture  Exercises,"  for  the  highest  classes  of  students,  to 
follow  Matthew,  Mark  and  Genesis,  embracing  the  gospels  of  Luke 
and  John  in  harmony,  with  copious  references  to  other  parts  of 
Scripture,  particularly  to  Matthew  and  Mark;  also,  with  explana- 
tory notes.  I  have  already  progressed  through  nearly  or  quite  half 
the  work,  and  propose  to  finish  it.  if  life  and  ability  shall  be  af- 
forded. 

17th. — By  a  letter  from  Philadelphia,  received  to-day,  I  am  in- 
formed of  the  decease  of  our  beloved  friend  John  Allen,  of  Lisk- 
card,  in  Cornwall,  England,  one  of  the  four  Friends  who  came  to 
this  country  in  1845,  by  appointment  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  in 
London,  on  account  of  the  Abolition  difficulties.  He  made  his 
home  at  our  house  for  a  considerable  time  during  that  visit,  and  we 
became  greatly  attached  to  him.  His  decease  occurred  on  the  15th 
of  the  Second-month,  1859,  in  the  sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  I 
deeply  feel  the  loss  of  this  xerj  dear  friend.  We  have  been  united 
together  in  a  feeling  of  warm  Christian  unity  and  fellowsliip,  and 
his  correspondence  has  always  been  interesting  and  refreshing.  I 
feel  that  a  brother  beloved,  and  a  father  in  the  church  has  been 
taken  away.  May  the  memory  of  his  bright  Christian  example, 
and  of  his  sound  faith,  and  love,  and  good  works  ever  live  with 
me,  to  encourage  and  incite  me  in  the  Christian  pilgrimage.  His 
close  is  said  to  have  been  peaceful,  and  I  do  not  doubt  but  he  is  a 
partaker  of  that  bliss,  which  is  in  store  for  the  righteous. 

18th  and  19th.— Attended  the  Westfield  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Elk.  The  meeting  is  small,  but  there  are  a  few  valuable  Friends 
there,  and  it  is  pleasant  to  be  with  them.  Several  other  members 
of  the  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
were  in  attendance,  and  our  minute  of  appointment  was  read.  Our 
friends  John  L.  Eddy,  of  Huron  county,  Ohio,  and  EUwood  Ozbun 


1859.] 


LIFE  or  ELIJAH  COFFIN, 


177 


and  wife,  of  Salem,  Iowa,  were  also  in  attendance;  also  Miriam 
Hough,  of  New  Garden,  accompanied  by  her  husband — all  under 
religious  engagement.  I  visited  our  friends  William  and  Delila 
Stubbs  at  their  home,  and  they  accompanied  us  to  meeting,  al- 
though his  condition  of  health  is  critical.  Had  an  agreeable  home 
in  West  Elkton  with  their  son-in-law,  John  Maddock,  and  Martha 
his  wife. 

20th. — First-duy. — Had  a  good  meeting  at  the  usual  hour  ;  then, 
at  three  o'clock  p.  M.,  had  a  Bible  meeting,  at  which,  toward  the 
conclusion,  an  association  was  organized,  auxiliary  to  the  Indiana 
Bible  Association  of  Friends,  with  about  thirty-five  members,  and 
nearly  thirty  donors  of  fifty  cents  and  under,  each.  Came  home- 
ward next  morning,  in  company  with  John  Pool,  Jonathan  John- 
son, William  and  Ann  Kenworthy,  and  Rebecca  -Clawson,  who  had 
attended  the  two  meetings. 

26th.— We  attended  Milford  3Ionthly  Meeting  to-day,  on  the 
committee  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Had  a  satisfactory  meeting. 
Visited  dear  mother;  then  went  to  Aaron  White's  and  staid  the 
night.    I'cturned  in  the  morning. 

29th. — At  Cincinnati  on  business. 

30tb. — Our  daughter  Hannah  A.  made  us  a  very  acceptable  and 
agreeable  visit  in  the  early  part  of  this  month  ;  and  now,  in  the 
latter  part,  we  are  cheered  with  a  pleasant  call  from  our  dear  Eli 
and  Mary. 

Fourth-month  2. — The  summer  session  of  the  boarding-school 
being  now  fairly  In  progress,  I  went  this  evening  to  commence  a 
new  series  of  lectures  on  business  matters  to  the  students.  My 
desire  and  intention  is  to  endeavor  to  inculcate  sound  principles, 
and  correct,  upright  practices. 

4th. — Eli  and  Mary  went  home  this  morning. 

22d. — This  evening,  after  reading,  the  reading  circle  was  ad- 
journed over  until  Tenth-month  next.  The  "readings"  have  been 
well  attended,  instructive,  refreshing  and  satisfactory.  I  hope  the 
evils  of  the  tongue  have  been  avoided. 

Weather  very  cool ;  but  hope  the  fruit  Is  not  destroyed. 

Our  First-day  school  for  Scriptural  instruction  was  resumed  for 
the  summer  session  on  the  lOtli  Inst.,  with  an  attendance  of  ninety- 
three  students.  On  the  ITtli,  we  had  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
with  favorable  prospects  for  some  good. 


178 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1859- 


Fifth-month  26. — The  committee  appointed  by  our  last  Quarterly 
Meeting  to  visit  the  Monthly  Meetings,  have  now  gone  through 
the  attendance  of  all  of  them,  to  a  good  degree  of  satisfaction. 

IVIuch  of  my  time  and  attention  have  been  taken  up  with  the 
little  work  of  "  Scripture  Exercises  on  Luke  and  John  in  Har- 
mony,'' before  noticed,  and  I  have  now  nearly  completed  the  same. 
It  has  cost  me  so  much  labor  and  care,  that  I  must  hope  for  some 
usefulness  from  it,  if  it  can  be  published  and  obtain  circulation. 

A  short  time  past,  the  death  of  Dennison  Olmstead,  a  professor 
in  Yale  College  at  New  Haven,  and  an  eminent  literary  character 
in  the  United  States,  was  announced;  and  now  we  have  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  decease  of  Alexander  von  Humboldt  of  Berlin, 
a  man  of  extensive  attainments,  and  talents  of  a  superior  order,  at 
an  advanced  age.. 

Late  advices  from  Europe  bring  the  tidings  of  the  formal  decla- 
ration of  war  between  Austria  and  Sardinia,  in  which  France  is  a 
party  as  an  ally  of  the  latter.  A  conflict  between  these  mighty 
nations  must  be  truly  awful. 

We  had  much  wet  weather  in  the  spring,  but  it  has  been  dry  of 
late ;  a  shower  yesterday  refreshed  vegetation. 

Flour,  wheat,  corn  and  oats  are  all  high,  and  the  two  last  scarce. 
Flour,  03.50  per  hundred  pounds;  wheat,  $1.25  per  bushel;  corn, 
80  cents  per  bushel ;  oats,  55  cents  per  bushel ;  Irish  potatoes, 
$1.20  per  bushel ;  butter,  20  to  25  cents  per  pound. 

Our  Bible  association  has  been  doing  some  good  business;  a  short 
time  past  one  hundred  and  twenty  dollars  was  remitted  to  aid 
in  the  supply  of  Africa ;  the  townships  of  Jackson  and  Boston,  in 
this  county,  have  been  completely  canvassed  and  supplied,  and 
Washington  and  Wayne  nearly  so  ;  besides  considerable  work  in 
other  places ;  all  of  which  affords  us  satisfaction  in  the  retrospect. 

We  hear  of  the  arrival  at  Milton  of  Sarah,  wife  of  our  dear 
William  H.  Coffin,  with  three  children,  on  the  23d  inst.  We  shall 
expect  them  here  soon. 

Sixth-month  2. — Fifth-day  morning. — Our  Central  Book  and 
Tract  Committee  met  this  morning,  and  the  "  Scripture  Exercises 
on  Luke  and  John  in  Harmony"  was  laid  before  them  for  their 
judgment  thereon,  with  reference  to  publication.  Portions  were 
read,  and  the  work  was '  considered,  and  much  interest  was  mani- 
fested in  the  early  publication  thereof ;  and  a  minute  was  made 
recommending  it  for  use. 


1859.] 


LIFE  OF  BLLTAli  COFFIN. 


17!) 


Meeting  for  Sufferings  to-day;  a  comfortable  good  feeling  pre- 
vailed. I  have  been  engaged  with  a  committee  of  that  meeting 
preparing  a  revised  statement  of  the  meetings  of  Indiana  Yearly 
Meeting,  which  was  reported,  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

Sixth-day. — Ministers  and  Elders  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.;  a  good 
meeting.  African  Committee  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.  A  Bible  Meet- 
ing at  seven  o'clock  p.  M.;  a  very  interesting  meeting,  at  which  the 
details  of  the  canvassing  of  several  townships  were  reported. 

Our  dear  Sarah  CofiBn  came  in  this  evening,  the  second  time. 

Seventh  -  da  ij. — Education  Meeting  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  Quar- 
terly Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.M.;  a  good  meeting,  and  a  large 
attendance.  Asenath  Clark,  Ellwood  Ozbun,  Francis  W.  Thomas, 
and  Sarah  Ann  Linton  with  us. 

First-day. — The  weather  is  cold  for  the  season,  and  we  had  a 
considerable  frost  last  night.  Some  injury  is  done  to  the  tender 
vegetables,  and  probably  some  to  the  wheat  and  small  fruits. 

We  had  an  interesting  First-day  school  this  morning ;  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  in  attendance. 

A  large  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.  ;  then  at  four  o'clock 
P.  M.  Ellwood  Ozbun  had  a  meeting  for  the  youth  and  others  ; 
largely  attended.    Both  good  meetings. 

15th. — Fourth-day. — I  set  off  this  morning  to  go  to  the  Northern 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Back  Creek,  in  Grant  county. 
Went  by  railway  to  Anderson  ;  thence  by  wagon  north,  up  the 
waters  of  Killbuck  Creek,  and  staid  at  a  country  tavern.  Passed 
through  a  better  country  than  I  had  looked  for. 

Fifth-day. — Left  early,  and,  passing  some  rough  road  and  inferior 
land,  arrived  at  Fairmount  about  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  reached 
Monthly  Meeting  at  Back  Creek  at  the  usual  hour.  The  meeting 
was  long  and  appeared  to  me  to  be  large.  Dined  at  Aaron  Hill's  ; 
then  to  Richard  Gordon's. 

Sixth-day. — Left  Richard  Gordon's  early,  he  kindly  taking  me 
in  his  carriage ;  and  crossing  back  over  the  Mississinewa,  took  the 
road  down  it  on  the  south  side,  passing  Mississinewa  meeting-houae 
and  Isaac  Jay's  near  it,  to  Marion.  Then  returning,  called  at  Isaac 
Jay's,  and  went  with  him  to  Back  Creek,  passing  through  Jones- 
boro',  to  the  second  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Polders;  about  forty 
in  attendance  ;  a  good  meeting.  Attended  the  African  Committee 
in  the  afternoon. 


180 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.' 


[1859. 


Seventh-day. — Education  Meeting  at  half-past  nine  o'clock;  made 
some  remarks  which  appeared  to  be  well  received. 

Quarterly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.;  very  large;  the  house 
was  so  full  as  scarcely  to  be  comfortable.  Anna  Hobbs,  Jeremiah 
Hadley  of  Whitelick,  Joseph  Picket  of  Ilouey  Creek,  and  Mary 
Ann  Rich  of  the  same  parts,  were  in  attendance,  with  minutes. 
William  Binford  of  Walnut  Ridge  was  also  there.  The  meeting 
held  long,  and  was  a  good  meeting. 

A  Bible  Meeting  at  five  o'clock  p.  m.  Much  lively  interest  in 
the  cause  was  shown,  and  a  new  auxiliary  to  the  Indiana  Bible 
Association  of  Friends  was  organized.  Returned  to  Aaron  Iliirs, 
having  dined  at  Nathan  Morris'. 

19th. — First-day. — Attended  the  Scriptural  school  at  Back  Creek, 
in  the  morning.  The  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  was  large,  and  an- 
other for  the  youth  was  held  at  four  o'clock  P.  M. — both  good  meet- 
ings. Went  home  with  Jesse  Wilson,  and  then  to  Nathan  Wilson's, 
both  near  Fairmount. 

20th. — Returned  home.  ' 

2Cth. — Attended  a  Bible  Meeting  at  West  River,  in  the  limits 
of  Springfield  Monthly  Meeting. 

Ann  Hunt  died  on  the  morning  of  the  26th,  and  was  buried  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  27th.    The  funeral  was  largely  attended. 

We  have  recently  had  pleasant  visits  from  our  beloved  daughters, 
Mary  C.  Johnson,  Hannah  Amelia  White,  and  Sarah  W.  Coffin. 

Seventh-month  3. —  First-day.  —  One  hundred  and  twenty-three 
scholars  in  attendance  at  our  First-day  Scriptural  school,  this 
morning. 

10th. — First-day. — My  aged  cousin,  Joseph  Coffin,  departed  this 
life,  at  the  house  of  William  B.  Hinshaw,  in  Economy,  to-day ; 
aged  a  little  over  eighty-five.  I  visited  him  a  few  days  past,  much 
to  satisfaction.  To  him,  I  believe,  death  was  not  unexpected,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  of  his  having  entered  into  rest. 

11th.- — Attended  the  funeral  at  Fairfield  ;  it  was  largely  attended, 
and  a  solemn  meeting. 

26th. — Our  son  William  arrived  from  Kansas.  We  were  rejoiced 
to  greet  him  again  at  our  dwelling. 

After  drought  of  about  four  weeks,  we  have  had  some  delightful 
refreshing  rains. 

Eic/hth-month  15. — Death  of  Nathan  Rambo. 


Ig5y,]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  181 

Our  dear  children,  William  and  Sarali,  and  tlieir  three  sons  Wil- 
liam, Albert,  and  Robert,  are  agreeably  with  us. 

2;}(i. — Our  children,  William  and  fSarah,  and  their  three  sons, 
left  Milfbrd  for  Kansas. 

I  attended  West  Branch  Quarterly  Meeting  on  the  19th,  20th 
and  21st,  which  was  satisfactory.  A  Bible  Meeting  was  held  on 
First-day  morning,  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  21st,  whicii  was  largely 
attended. 

26th.— 1  visited  my  brother  and  sister,  Thomas  atid  Hannah 
Symons,  at  Spiceland. 

The  little  book  of  Scripture  Exercises  on  Luke  and  John  in  Har- 
mony, is  received  to-day.  It  is  neatly  gotten  up  by  the  publishers, 
and  I  must  hope  and  desire  that  it  may  be  introduced,  used,  and 
found  useful  in  the  good  work  of  a  Scriptural  education. 

We  have  had  refreshing  rains,  which  have  invigorated  the 
crops  of  corn,  and  caused  the  fields  to  give  prospect  of  a  fair 
turn-out. 

31st. — More  rain — and  delightfully  cool  and  clear  since  it  fell. 

Ninth-month  1. — We  hear,  this  morning,  with  much  interest  and 
feeling,  of  the  birth  of  a  daughter,  yesterdaj',  to  our  dear  Hannah 
Amelia  and  Morris  White.  She  was  doing  well  when  the  message  left. 

2d. — John  Hawkins,  an  old  I'riend.  and  an  early  settler  in  this 
neighborhood,  is  buried  to-day. 

2d  and  3d. — Our  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Milford — pretty  largely 
attended,  and  satisfactory. 

Charles  and  Khoda  set  oflf  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  to  Ohio 
Yearly  Meeting,  in  company  with  several  other  Friends. 

13th. — They  returned,  having  had  an  interesting  visit. 

16th. — I  left  home  to  attend  the  Western  Yearly  Meeting.  On 
arriving  at  Plaiiifield  was  kindly  taken  in  by  my  valued  friends 
Eleazar  and  Esther  Bales,  with  whom  I  made  my  home. 

17th. — The  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  was  held  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  nr.,  and  the  Meeting  for  SufiFerings  at  three  o'clock  p.  ji.; 
both  good  meetings. 

18th. — Two  large  Meetings  for  Worship.  We  have  in  attend- 
ance, Thomas  and  Hannah  Arnett,  Daniel  Williams,  Thomas  Fra- 
zier,  Pjllwood  Ozbun,  Jane  Jones,  Eliza  P.  Gurney,  Daniel  Hutchin, 
Smith  Gregg,  and  others,  from  other  Yearly  Meetings.  Phebe  R. 
Giflford  should  also  be  named. 


182 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1859. 


lOtli. — Tlie  Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  was  opened  to-day. 
,  Their  large  house  was  well  filled — estimated  at  about  two  thousand 
members.    An  interesting  meeting.    This  is  Second-day.  . 

From  this  until  Fifth-day  evening  the  22d,  my  attention  was 
occupied,  with  a  deep  feeling  of  interest,  in  attending  each  day  a 
sitting  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  in  meeting  also  with  the  Min- 
isters and  Elders,  and  with  committees  who  were  engaged  in  im- 
portant matters  of  general  interest.  Friends  were  remarkably  kind 
in  their  bearing  toward  me,  and  having  been  so  lately  engnged  to- 
gether in  our  own  Yearly  Meeting,  in  the  services  of  the  body,  it 
appeared  much  like  being  at  home  to  be  with  them — the  mutual 
fellowship  and  good  will,  which  appeared  to  exist,  gave  me  great 
pleasure.  I  left  Plainfield  and  came  home  one  day  before  the 
meeting  closed,  on  account  of  the  near  approach  of  our  own  Y'^early 
Meeting,  and  for  other  reasons. 

On  arriving  at  home,  I  found  that  our  daughter,  Caroline  E. 
Ladd,  with  two  children,  were  making  us  a  most  acceptable  visit. 

27th. —  Thivd-day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
met  at  ten  o'clock.  We  had  a  large  and  interesting  meeting.  At 
three  o'clock  p.  M.  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  convened.  The  busi- 
ness was  proceeded  with  to  satisfaction. 

28th. — Fvurih-day. — We  had  a  large  public  Meeting  for  Wor- 
ship to-day.  Our  friend  Lindley  M.  Hoag,  who  is  in  attendance 
this  year  irom  Iowa,  has  been  largely  engaged  in  powerful  min- 
istry. 

29th. — Fifth-day.- — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  gathered  at  eleven 
o'clock,  A.  M.  The  number  in  attendance  is  evidently  not  quite  so 
large  as  it  was  before  the  Western  Yearly  Meeting  was  set  up ;  but 
still  the  house  is  pretty  well  filled  below,  with  many  in  the  youth's 
'^allery — so  that  the  meeting  is  still  large.  Business  was  progressed 
with  in  a  comfortable  manner:  about  the  usual  amount  lor  this  day 
being  gone  through. 

Last  evening,  our  central  book  and  tract  comniitree  held  their 
Annual  Meeting,  which  was  satisfactory. 

This  evening  the  Education  Meeting  was  held:  pretty  largely 
attended,  but  not  so  satisfactory  as  it  might  have  bien,  (ai  account 
of  a  want  of  order,  etc.,  in  the  reports.  It  was  conc  uded  to  hold 
a  Fii'st-day  School  Meeting  on  First-day  evening. 

30th.  —  Sixth-day. — The  state  of  Society,  and  other  interest- 


1859.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


183 


ing  topics  liad  the  consideration  of  the  meeting  to-day.    A  good 
meeting. 

\Vc  have  in  attendance  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  Eliza  P.  Gurney 
and  her  companion  Hannah  B.  Mott;  Phebe  R.  Gilford,  and  her 
liusband,  Isaac  E.  Gififord,  with  her;  Hannah  Pierson,  accompanied 
by  her  husband,  Thomas  Pierson,  and  several  of  our  own  members 
from  a  distance — Thomas  Frazier,  EUwood  Ozbun,  William  Pear- 
.son,  Jane  Jones,  and  other  from  Iowa,  and  Sarah  M.  Hiatt  from 
Minnesota. 

This  evening  the  Bible  Meeting  was  held;  an  interesting  time. 

Tenlh-tnonth  1. — Seventh-day. — The  report  of  the  central  book 
and  tract  committee  was  read  this  morning,  and  received  as  much 
favor,  and  even  more  than  I  had  expected.  The  meeting  then 
united  in  granting  a  request  for  another  Quarterly  Meeting  in  Iowa, 
called  South  River.  After  this,  the  request  for  the  establishment 
of  a  new  Yearly  Meeting  in  Iowa  was  considered,  and  a  committee 
was,  with  entire  unity,  appointed  to  visit  the  Quarterly  and  other 
meetings  in  that  State,  in  reference  thereto.  Several  other  reports 
on  interesting  subjects  were  afterward  read,  and  disposed  of. 

2d. — First-day. —  Two  very  large  meetings  for  public  worship 
were  held  as  usual.  Then,  in  the  evening,  a  meeting,  on  the  sub- 
ject of  First-day  schools  for  Scriptural  instruction.  It  was  conclu- 
ded to  recommended  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  to  appoint  a  special 
committee  on  that  subject. 

The  proposition  received  a  favorable  response,  and  a 
large  committee  was  appointed  to  have  the  cue  of  that 
interesting  subject,  "for  the  further  advancement  of  the 
cause,  and  for  greater  efficiency  of  action  upon  it  in  the 
subordinate  meetings." 

The  event  of  a  First-day  school  association  becoming  a  part 
of  the  regular  business  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  was  regarded 
by  Elijah  ColBn  with  no  ordinary  emotions ;  he  having 
been  one  of  the  first  to  consult  on  the  expediency  of  such  a 
measure  being  taken.  As  the  subject  of  this  memoir  has 
only  set  his  seal  to  the  deep  interest  which  he  took  in  the 
Sabbath  school  cause,  from  early  manhood,  by  frequent 


184  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1859. 

references  to  the  particular  schools  iii  which  he  v\as  en- 
gaged, and  has  not  spoken  explicitly  upon  the  subject,  this 
would  seem  a  proper  place  to  remark  upon  it,  or  one  of"  the 
chief  portraitures  of  his  character  would  be  omitted. 

Prompted  by  a  desire  to  aid  in  advancing  the  interests 
of  true  Christianity,  about  the  year  1817  he  was  one  of  a 
few  young  Friends  who  were  instrumental  in  forming  a 
Sabbath  school  at  New  Garden,  North  Carolina.  In  this 
eflort  they  encountered  much  opposition  from  the  prejudices 
even  of  good  people ;  however,  it  should  be  remembered 
that  at  that  earl}^  date  the  subject  was  new,  and  many  of 
the  same  Friends  became  favorable  to  the  cause.  Having 
no  experience  in  the  formation  of  such  schools,  it  was  con- 
ducted quite  differently  from  those  of  the  present  day,  and 
was  not  under  a  regular  organization,  but  one  who  himself 
took  a  lively  part  in  the  establishment  of  the  school  says 
of  Elijah  Coffin,  that  he  was  the  master  spirit,  and  properly 
the  leader  and  superintendent. 

On  his  removal  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  one  of  his  first  steps 
was  to  establish  the  first  Friends'  Frist-day  school,  which  was 
ever  put  into  operation  in  that  city,  in  the  autumn  of  1833, 
and  of  which  he  was  the  superintendent,  and  only  teacher 
during  his  residence  there.  The  school  was  not  divided 
'into  classes  ;  the  general  plan  of  conducting  it  was,  for  all 
to  read  portions  of  Scripture,  verse  about,  after  which  be 
made  explanatory  remarks,  with  the  appropriate  applica- 
tion for  the  benefit  of  the  hearers. 

In  the  summer  of  1835,  we  next  find  him  at  Richmond, 
Indiana,  awake  to  the  necessity  of  this  important  branch  of 
Christian  labor,  by  enlivening  an  interest  in  the  cause.  An 
effort  had  been  made  by  Friends,  the  preceding  summer,  to 
establish  a  school ;  but  at  the  time  of  Elijah  Coffin's  re- 
moval to  that  place  it  had  ceased  to  exist. 


1859.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  185 

He  opened  a  school  in  the  school-house,  near  Whitewater 
meeting-house  ,which  was  at  a  later  period  taken  under 
charge  of  a  Monthly  Meeting  committee,  and  held  in  the 
meeting-house.  In  this  school  he  performed  the  duties  of 
superintendent  for  twenty-eight  years,  until  the  time  of  his 
death. 

It  is  alike  impossible  and  unnecessary  for  us  to  follow 
him  throughout  his  labors,  both  within  and  without,  his  own 
religious  Society,  having  continued  an  earnest  worker,  and 
strenuous  supporter  of  the  cause  until  the  close  of  his  life, 
and  left,  as  a  testimony  of  his  devotion,  a  series  of  Scrip- 
ture Question  Books,  "  which  shows  great  Biblical  knowl- 
edge and  research." 

He  was  frequent  in  his  attendance  of  the  Sabbath  schools 
of  other  denominations,  and  on  an  occasion  of  seeing  either 
older  or  younger  gathered  to  gain  a  knowledge  of  the  gos- 
pel truths,  it  was  seldom  that  his  voice  was  not  heard  ex- 
pressive of  his  delight,  and  his  words  of  encouragement 
both  to  teachers  and  scholars  drew  forth  the  affectionate 
regard  of  Christians  of  every  name. 

He  was  instrumental,  in  connection  with  other  religious 
professors,  in  establishing  Union  Sabbath  schools,  in  local- 
ities where  there  was  no  Sabbath  school  under  the  care  of 
religious  denominations,  and  in  these  labors,  instances  have 
occurred  which  have  given  evidence  that  an  especial  bless- 
ing rested  upon  the  work.  He  was  filled  with  an  expan- 
sive Christian  love,  and  believed  in  a  close  union  of  Chris- 
tian hearts,  in  the  spread  of  the  simple  gospel  truths,  and, 
while  he  expressed  an  ardent  love  for  his  own  church,  his 
spirit  seemed  to  rise  above  all  sectarian  feeling,  into  the 
purer  atmosphere  of  love  to  God  and  to  his  fellow-men, 
without  regard  to  name  or  condition.    This  is  shown  in 

13 


186  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1859. 

the  following  extract,  from  the  notes  taken  of  the  last  ad- 
dress, he  made  in  pubhc :  "  Every  real  Christian  should 
possess,  and  doubtless  would  feel  in  a  greater  or  less  de- 
gree, that  love  which  embraces  the  whole  human  family, 
and  anything  like  an  exclusive  feeUng  that  would  hinder  us 
from  uniting,  under  a  genuine  concern  for  our  own  preser- 
vation in  the  truth,  in  efforts  with  any  fellow-Christian,  for 
the  good  of  others,  he  was  fearful  came  from  a  wrong  source. 
Nor  is  there  any  need,  while  laboring  in  this  spirit  outside 
our  religious  Society,  of  compromising  our  own  precious, 
although  peculiar  religious  principles.  As  a  people  we  owe 
a  duty  and  a  service,  not  only  to  our  own  members,  but  to 
society  at  large,  and  it  well  becomes  us  as  Christians  to 
inquire  whether  we  are  coming  up  to  our  Hne  of  duty  in 
this  respect.  He  had  often  felt  interested  in  the  establish- 
ment of  these  schools  (Sabbath  schools),  without  the  pale 
of  our  Society,  and  had  sometimes  labored  herein  with  those 
not  in  profession  with  himself,  and  from  his  own  experience 
he  could  testify  that  these  efforts  had  not  lessened  his  love 
or  attachment  for  the  truth  as  professed  by  Friends.  In 
this  Christian  interest  he  would  encourage  such  labors,  and 
when  the  motive  to  the  work  springs  from  a  love  to  Christ, 
he  behaved  that  a  blessing  would  attend  the  service." 

In  tracing  Elijah  Coffin's  course  in  the  Sabbath  school 
enterprise,  much  might  be  revealed  in  relation  to  the  marked 
features  of  his  character,  the  most  prominent  of  w  hich  were 
love  to  the  Saviour,  and  a  chaste  attachment  to  His  cause, 
with  simple  devotedness  to  His  service — his  cheerful  Chris- 
'  tian  and  his  enlarged  and  catholic  spirit,  which  led  him  to 
entertain  a  warm  feeling  of  affection  for  other  professing 
Christians,  while  he  steadily  maintained,  with  consistency, 
his  own  views  and  religious  principles  as  a  Friend.    In  al- 


1859.] 


LIFE  OP  BLIJAH  COFFIN. 


187 


lusion  to  this  distinguishing  principle  of  his  character,  a  brief 
extract  is  taken  from  a  letter,  written  after  his  decease,  by 
his  highly  honored  friend  Benjamin  Seebohm  to  a  member 
of  his  family  :  "  No  narrow-minded,  sectarian  spirit  was  per- 
mitted to  mar  the  beauty  and  symmetry  of  his  character  as 
a  faithful  Friend,  and  it  is  comforting  to  reflect  to  what  a 
large  extent  he  was  made  the  means  of  blessing  to  the 
Christian  community  to  which  he  belonged,  while  his  sphere 
of  usefulness  was,  by  no  means,  confined  to  their  limits." 
As  a  further  evidence  of  the  spirit  in  which  he  labored  in  the 
Sabbath  school  cause,  the  writer  will  conclude  her  remarks, 
by  extracting  from  a  copy  of  the  "  Memoirs  of  Elizabeth 
Dudley,"  now  in  her  possession,  a  passage  which  exempli- 
fied the  sentiments  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir  so  fully, 
that  on  reading  them  at  one  time  he  took  his  pencil  and 
marking  the  margin,  wrote:  "Heartily  approved,"  sign- 
ing it  with  his  full  name,  in  a  broad  hand.    "  It  is  interest- 
ing to  see  real  heart-felt  religion  flourish  amidst  the  shades 
of  difference  ^which  outwardly  distinguish  professing  Chris- 
tians ;  and  I  believe  more  frequent  intercourse  among  the 
spiritually-minded  of  all  denominations  would  increase  our 
toleration  for  each  other,  by  bringing  under  the  influence 
of  that  charity  which  '  seeketh  not  her  own,'  but  'rejoic- 
eth  in  the  truth  wherever  found.'  " 
The  journal  continues : 

Tenth-month  3  and  4. — In  these  two  days  the  business  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  was  gone  through,  and  the  meeting  came  to  a  sol- 
emn close  to  much  satisfaction.  Most  of  the  Friends  in  attendance 
left  very  soon.  Eli  and  Mary  went  home,  to  Cincinnati,  on  the 
evening  of  the  fourth. 

6th. — Fifth-day. — William  H.  Ladd  and  Caroline  left  this  morn- 
ing for  home,  intending  to  go  by  way  of  Cincinnati,  and  remain  there 
a  few  days. 

12th. — We  were  greatly  moved  by  hearing  of  the  sudden  and  un- 


188 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1859. 


expected  decease  of  our  nephew  Jesse  D.  Hiatt,  of  Kansas,  which 
occurred  on  the  evening  of  the  fourth  instant.  He  was  a  valuable 
young  man,  who  will  be  much  missed  at  the  meeting  and  in  the  cir- 
cle in  which  he  belonged.  Their  grief  will  be  poignant,  but  the 
Supreme  Ruler  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom  has  things  as  he  will,  and 
orders  all  for  the  best.  It  becomes  us  to  accept  his  dispensations 
with  submission  and  deep  reverence. 

Our  boarding-school  opens,  for  the  winter  session,  with  favorable 
prospects.  This  week  about  fifty-five  boys  and  sixty-five  girls  are 
received. 

Ttnth-iuonthli — Attended  the  committee  (now  Earlham  College.) 
20th. — A  great  stir  with  the  county  fair. 

Elcvenfh-montk  17. — When  this  day  of  the  year  rolls  around  I  am 
solemnly  reminded  of  the  rapid  progress  of  time.  This  adds  ano- 
ther year  to  my  age.  I  am  now  sixty-one.  A  year  now  seems 
much  shorter  than  one  did  in  very  early  life, 

0*1  the  eleventh,  I  went  to  Waynesville,  to  attend  the  Miami 
Quarterly  Meeting  and  the  Indian  Committee,  of  which  last  I  am  now 
a  member.  We  desire  to  make  an  effort  to  obtain  a  complete  title 
to  the  land  and  premises  in  Kansas,  where  our  school  is  kept  for 
the  Shawnee  Indians.  The  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  and 
that  of  the  Indian  Committee  were  both  pleasant. 

12th. — Miami  Quarterly  Meeting.  Exceedingly  rainy.  Attended 
the  Education  and  African  Committees  in  the  morning;  then  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  eleven.  It  was  a  good  meeting.  I  had  in- 
tended to  go  home  this  evening,  but  the  trains  do  not  connect. 
Staid  last  night  with  my  beloved  friends  Thomas  and  Hannah  Ar- 
nett.  Our  fellowship  is  renewed  by  our  social  meeting  and  by  their 
•  kind  hospitality.  In  the  evening  it  was  very  inclement,  butJ  went 
in  company  with  our  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson,  to  Cincinnati, 
many  other  Friends  being  in  company. 

13th. — First-day. — Attended  Friends'  First-day  school,  in  Cin- 
cinnati this  morning — then  Meeting  for  Worship.  In  the  afternoon 
went  with  Eli  Johnson  to  a  Sabbath -school,  at  the  Central  (Pres- 
byterian) Church,  where  there  were  over  two  hundred  children.  I 
was  called  upon  for  some  remarks  at  the  close.  The  occasion  was 
an  interesting  one. 

Returned  home  on  Second-day,  the  fourteenth, 
f  The  weather  has,  so  far  this  season,  eince  last  spring,  been 


I860.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


189 


remarkably  agreeable  and  pleasant,  there  having  been  very  little 
of  extreme.  , 

Eleventh-month  28. — I  went  to  Cincinnati  to  attend  the  Annual 
Meeting  of  the  Young  Men's  Bible  Society,  which  was  held  in  the 
evening.  I  felt  much  diffidence  at  the  idea  of  making  remarks,  but 
being  called  out  by  the  chairman,  I  addressed  the  congregation  for 
fifteen  to  twenty  minutes,  which  I  have  reason  to  believe  from  the 
kindness  which  was  shown  to  me,  was  well  received  and  satisfac- 
tory. 

Twelfth-month  2,  3  and  4. — Our  Quarterly  and  other  meetings 
were  held  on  those  days  to  satisfaction.  The  weather  is  beginning 
to  be  inclement  and  cold. 

5th. — 3Iy  dear  wife  and  daughter  Miriam  went  to  Cincinnati. 
My  wife's  object,  mainly,  was  to  consult  her  advising  physician 
Doctor  David  Judkius,  who  has  had  her  case  under  care  for  some 
time  past. 

8th. — On  yesterday  morning,  after  an  inclement  windy  night,  with 
snow,  the  thermometer  sunk  to  three  degrees  below  zero ;  much  the 
coldest,  so  far,  this  winter,  and  although  yesterday  was  a  fine  day, 
the  cold  did  not  moderate,  but  became  more  intense  last  night,  so 
that  this  morning,  the  thermometer  indicated  sixteen  degrees  be- 
low zero. 

20th. — Rhoda  M.  Coffin  and  I  visited  sixty  four  families,  in  the 
first  ward,  in  Richmond,  to  ascertain  if  there  were  any  families  in 
need  as  to  food  or  clothing,  and  if  all  were  supplied  with  the  Holy 
Scriptures.  We  found  eleven  families  who  had  not  the  Bible ;  sold 
six  Bibles  and  gave  away  six,  by  which  all  were  supplied ;  sold  one 
Testament  and  gave  away  two  ;  found  but  one  family,  who  at  the 
present  time,  needs  help. 

24;th. — Snow  still  on  the  ground.  Thermometer  four  degrees  be- 
low zero  this  morning. 

31st. — Our  friend,  James  Johnson,  is  dangerously  ill.  The  wea- 
ther is  very  cold :  fourteen  degrees  below  zero  this  morning. 

First-month  1  and  2,  18G0. — The  cold  weather  continues.  Thir- 
teen degrees  below  zero  in  the  morning,  and  for  more  than  forty- 
eight  hours  the  mercury  did  not  rise  above  zero  at  mid-day. 

4th. — Fourth-day,  evening. — Our  friend  James  Johnson  expired  at 
a  quarter  past  eleven  last  night.  He  was  an  active  and  useful  man — 
a  friend  whom  I  highly  valued,  and  the  loss  of  whom  I  shall  much 


190 


'life  of  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


feel.  He  has  a  large  and  interesting  family.  Our  children,  Eli  and 
Mary,  are  here  to  see  him. 

7th. — The  funeral  was  to-day,  at  ten  A.  M.,  largely  attended.  A 
solemn  meeting  before  interment. 

Weather  moderated,  with  some  rain. 

19th. — We  hear  to-day,  of  the  decease  of  our  dear  and  valued 
friend  Dr.  Richard  H.  Thomas,  of  Baltimore.  He  was  indeed  a  bro- 
ther beloved,  to  whom  my  heart  was  greatly  attached  in  the  bonds 
of  Christian  unity  and  fellowship.  He  was  one  of  those  members 
of  the  church  who  understood  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  and  who 
was  a  Christian  from  experience,  knowing  the  realities  of  religion 
by  its  practical  operation.  I  feel  great  confidence  that  he  has  enter- 
ed into  rest,  and  that  he  is  receiving  the  end  of  his  faith,  even  the 
salvation  of  his  soul.  The  church  on  earth  has  lost  in  him  a  val- 
uable member  and  his  personal  friends  a  dear  and  affectionate  bro- 
ther. Of  him,  it  seems  to  me  it  may  be  truly  said,  as  of  almost 
any  other  within  my  knowledge,  "Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  right- 
eous, and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his."  His  decease  took  place  on  the 
fifteenth,  and  his  funeral  was  appointed  to  take  place  on  the  eight- 
eenth. 

21st,  22d,  23d. — James  C.  Fletcher,  late  a  missionary  to  Brazil? 
delivered  three  lectures'in  the  evenings ;  one  on  "Brazil  and  the  Bra- 
zilians;"  the  second  on  "The  Bible  in  Brazil;"  and  the  third  on 
"Sardinia  and  the  Waldenses ;"  all  of  which  were  listened  to  by 
myself  and  others  with  much  interest.  I  went  with  him  to  Earl- 
ham  College,  on  the  twenty-third,  where  amongst  other  things,  he 
entertained  the  students,  with  great  pleasure  with  some  remarks,  in 
a  lecture  of  nearly  an  hour,  on  his  travels  in  Brazil  and  Europe  and 
other  subjects. 

Second-month  3. — My  wife  and  I  went  to  Cincinnati  and  remained 
there  until  the  sixth,  in  company  with  our  children  and  other 
friends. 

I  attended  the  reading  circle  in  the  evening  at  Harriet  Steer's 
where  more  than  twenty  were  present,  and  the  exercise  and  inter- 
view were  pleasant. 

On  Seventh-day  evening,  the  fourth,  several  friends  were  invited 
to  M.  M.  White's,  whose  company  we  enjoyed. 

First-day  5. — Very  wet  weather  in  the  morning,  so  the  First-day 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


191 


school  was  small  at  Friends'  Meeting  House.  Eli  Newlin  and 
Andrew  F.  Evans  were  at  meeting. 

I  went  with  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson  to  the  Bethel  Sabbath 
School,  at  two,  P.  M.  It  was  a  new  scene  to  me.  There  were  pre- 
sent, probably,  between  two  and  three  hundred  poor  children,  and 
itjseems  to  me  that  this  movement  for  instructing  these  children  in 
morality  and  religion,  giving  them  good  advice,  and  contributing 
to  their  necessities,  is  one  of  a  deeply  interesting  character,  opening 
a  great  field  for  the  exercise  of  true  Christian  benevolence,  mercy 
and  charity.  I  believe  that  the  Divine  blessing  may  be  expected  to 
aid  an  enterprize  so  truly  Christian  in  its  objects. 

I  omitted  to  record  at  its  proper  date,  the  adjournment  on  First- 
day,  the  twenty-ninth  of  the  First-month,  of  the  winter  session  of 
our  First-day  school.  This  session  was  attended  in  the  early  part 
by  about  sixty  persons ;  and  in  the  latter  part,  since  the  weather 
became  inclement,  by  from  thirty  to  forty.  Our  Scripture  exer- 
cises and  communion  together  have  been  sweet  and  pleasant — and 
we  now  adjourn,  with  some  regret,  at  parting. 

Second-month  13. — Our  aged  friend,  Margaret  Morris,  died  this 
afternoon  at  about  four  o'clock.  She  has  been  long  an  invalid  and 
6unk  at  last  and  went  oflP  rather  suddenly.  There  is  ground  to  hope 
that  her  end  is  peace. 

I  spent  part  of  the  day  in  canvassing  Sevastopol,  one  of  our  sub- 
urbs, to  ascertain  and  supply  destitution  of  Holy  Scriptures  to  fam- 
ilies. 

15th. — I  attended  the  funeral  of  Margaret  Morris,  at  Milford. 
We  had  a  solemn,  quiet  meeting. 

Decease  of  Hannah  Bell,  at  two  A.  M. 

21st.— Death  of  Sarah  Hubbard,  wife  of  Richard  J.  Hubbard. 
23d.— Visited  Earlham  College. 

24th. — Death  of  George  Fiske,  an  Episcopal  minister,  with  whom 
I  had  acquaintance  and  some  intimacy. 

25th. — I  have  been  hearing,  each  evening  this  week,  a  course  of 
lectures  delivered  by  Doctor  Boynton,  on  Geology  and  kindred 
subjects.  The  lectures  have  been  very  interesting  and  informing. 
This  may  be  said  without  indorsing  every  opinion  which  was  ad- 
vanced. The  doctor  has,  however,  evidently  devoted  great  attention 
to  the  subject,  and  entered  largely  into  investigations  of  various 
matters  relating  thereto. 


192 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


26th. — First-day. — Attended  a  Scripture  recitation  at  the  College 
this  morning. 

Second-month  27,  28,  29. — These  three  days  have  been  chiefly 
taken  up  in  attending  the  examinations  at  Earlham  College.  About 
one  hundred  and  fifty  students  have  attended  the  college  in  the 
session  just  closed,  and  the  progress  and  administration  have  been 
as  satisfactory  as  at  any  previous  time.  The  Scripture  recitations 
have,  probably,  been  better  than  any  before. 

Third-month  2  and  3, — Our  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Milford.  A 
good  meeting.  Thomas  Jay  and  his  companion,  Richard  Gordon, 
present. 

We  have  been  much  moved  on  hearing  of  the  increased  indispo- 
sition of  our  dear  Eli  Johnson.  Charles  and  E-hoda  are  going  to 
see  him. 

11th. — Our  First-day  school  committee  convened  this  morning  to 
make  arrangments  for  conducting  the  summer  session.  I  have  been 
superintendent  for  many  years — and  was  again  appointed  to  the 
service — Isaac  P.  Evans,  assistant. 

12th. — I  went  to  Cincinnati,  our  daughter  Miriam  with  me,  to 
see  Eli  Johnson.  Found  him  feeble,  but  cheerful  as  could  be  ex- 
pected. 

13th. — I  returned  home,  and  Eli  came  with  me  and  staid  until 
the  sixteenth. 

18th. — The  physician  having  advised  a -trip  to  the  south  as  most 
likely  to  benefit  Eli  Johnson,  he  and  our  dear  Mary  took  passage 
on  the  boat  "City  of  Madison,''  for  New  Orleans,  expecting  to  pro- 
ceed thence  to  Cuba  and  elsewhere,  if  Providence  favor  it.  ^Our  deep 
sympathies  go  with  them. 

30th  and  31st. — Having  undertaken  to  visit  the  families  in  Sevas- 
topol, a  suburb  village  near  Richmond,  to  ascertain  the  state  of  sup- 
ply of  Holy  Scriptures  among  them,  these  two  days  were  partly 
occupied  with  that  service.  Fifty-three  families  were  visited,  and 
three,  who  were  not  supplied,  were  furnished,  but  four  destitute  Ro- 
man Catholic  families  declined  to  be  supplied.  Tracts  were  distri- 
buted at  most  places. 

Letters  received  from  Eli  and  Mary  give  us  an  agreeable  account 
of  their  progress  down  the  Ohio  river. 

Fotirth-month  1. — First-day. — This  morning,  at  nine  o'clock,  the 
summer  session  of  our  First-day  school,  for  Scriptural  instruction, 


I860.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


193 


was  opened.  The  morning  was  rainy,  but  we  had  an  attendance  of 
fifty-three  students.  We  had  a  pleasant  meeting  of  the  teachers 
and  some  others  at  six  P.  M.  ' 

Fourth-month  7. — Attended  a  meeting  of  the  associated  commit- 
tees on  Scriptural  schools,  in  the  limits  of  our  Quarterly  Meeting, 
held  at  Bethel,  for  organizing  a  branch  of  the  general  committee 
on  First-day  schools.  Ninety-five  Friends  were  in  attendance  and 
the  meeting  was  satisfactory. 

8th. — The  second  week  of  our  First-day  school.  One  hundred 
and  ten  present.  Francis  W.  Thomas  held  an  appointed  meeting 
at  Whitewater,  at  three  P.  M. — I  was  not  present  because  a  Bible 
Meeting  had  been  appointed  at  Centerville,  which  I  was  expected 
to  attend.  We  had  a  respectable  and  attentive  congregation  at  the 
Bible  Meeting  ;  and  after  remarks  on  the  needs,  objects  and  designs 
of  the  Bible  cause,  a  collection  was  taken  up  and  about  ten  dollars 
contributed  to  aid  in  the  work. 

9th. — We  have  encouraging  letters  from  our  dear  Eli  and  Mary, 
at  New  Orleans.    They  were  to  sail  for  Cuba,  on  the  eighth. 

Our  daughter,  Hannah  Amelia,  is  making  us  a  visit  much  to  our 
satisfaction.  i 

19th. — A  letter  is  received  from  Mary,  at  Havana,  very  interest- 
ing to  us.    Eli  is  improved  :  date  Fourth-month  10. 

We  had  an  attendance  of  one  hundred  and  sixteen  at  our  Scrip- 
ture school,  on  last  First-day,  the  fifteenth.  Enos  G.  Pray  and 
some  others  present.  In  the  afternoon  we  attended  the  opening  of 
their  summer  session,  at  Orange,  and  had  a  satisfactory  time.  A 
Teachers'  Meeting  in  the  evening. 

F-  I  am  now  engaged  in  my  ''Scripture  Exercises"  in  Kings  and 
Chronicles. 

Fourth-month  21.  We  have  another  satisfiictory  letter  from  our 
dear  Mary,  dated  Havana,  twelfth:  doing  well. 

Fine  rains  have  fallen  and  the  cherry,  pear  and  apple  trees  are 
in  full  bloom. 

22d. — Fine  rain.  One  hundred  and  twenty-five  at  Scripture 
school  this  morning. 

25th. — Monthly  Meeting.  Zeri  and  Miriam  Hough  in  attendance, 
with  minutes  to  our  satisfaction. 

The  meeting  granted  to  myself  and  my  dear  wife  a  minute  for 


194 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


our  eastern  journey  which  we  are  proposing,  with  the  aid  of  Pro- 
vidence, to  accomplish. 

We  are  thinking  first  to  visit  William  and  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  for 
a  few  days,  and  afterward  to  proceed  toward  New  York,  in  order  to 
attend  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

26th — Cold  and  severe  frost. 

28th. — Still  cool,  with  frost  in  the  morning. 
^'29th. — One  hundred  and  twenty-four  at  Scripture  school  this 
morning.    Murray  Shipley  and  Jonathan  Dickinson  present.  In 
the  afternoon  I  went  to  Sevastopol,  to  aid  in  the  organization  of  a 
Sabbath  school  in  that  village. 

30th. — White  frost.  We  had  agreeable  meetings  of  our  Central 
Book  and  Tract  Committee  and  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Indiana  Bible  Association  of  Friends,  to-day. 

Fifth-month  1,  1860. — Cool.    Much  of  the  fruit  is  destroyed. 

My  little  library  and  study-room  is  about  finished. 

4th. — Another  letter  from  Mary,  to  twenty-sixth  ultimo,  at 
leaving  Cuba,  crossing  the  gulf  and  stopping  at  Key  West.  A 
pleasant  passage. 

5th. — Warm  and  seasonable. 

6th. — One  hundred  and  sixteen  at  Scripture  school  this  morning. 
Attended  again  at  Sevastopol — about  fifty  present. 

8th. — We  had  made  preparation  for  our  eastern  journey,  and  ac- 
cordingly set  off  at  ten  A.  M.,  by  railway.  At  Dayton,  we  fell  in 
with  Ephraim  Morgan,  and  he  and  I,  being  under  appointment  to 
give  attention  to  procuring  a  complete  title  to  the  tract  of  land  oc- 
cupied by  our  establishment  in  Kansas,  for  the  civilization  and 
improvement  of  the  Shawnee  Indians,  it  was  deemed  necessary  that 
we  should  proceed  at  once  to  Washington  City  with  regard  thereto  ; 
so,  passing  on  together  to  Newark,  Ohio,  we  parted  with  my  wife 
at  that  place,  who  proceeded  to  William  H.  Ladd's,  and  we  went  on 
our  way ;  crossing  the  Ohio  river,  below  Wheeling,  we  traveled 
through  the  night  and  reached  Washington  at  about  five  P.  M.,  on 
the  ninth. 

We  visited  Edward  Clark,  attorney  for  the  Shawnese,  and  Senator 
Pugh,  the  same  evening  in  relation  to  business;  and  next  morning 
we  again  visited  Senator  Pugh,  then  the  Commissioner  of  Indian 
Affairs — Greenwood — and  having  found  that  a  new  treaty,  or  modi- 
fication of  the  treaty  last  made  in  1854,  will  be  necessary  before 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


195 


the  end  we  had  in  view  could  be  accomplished,  we  made  all  such 
arrangements  as  appeared  proper  in  regard  to  having  an  article  in- 
serted to  accomplish  our  objects  whenever  a  new  treaty  should  be 
entered  into.  We  soon  began  to  make  preparations  to  return.  We 
had  visited  the  Capitol  and  walked  through  the  grounds,  and  walked 
some  through  the  city,  and  called  on  Representatives  Kilgour  and 
Case,  early  in  the  day:  and  now  we  again  went  to  the  Capitol,  vis- 
ited the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Senate,  each  for  a  short 
time ;  then  went  to  our  hotel,  took  dinner,  and  left  in  the  cars  for 
the  west,  at  three  P.  m.,  and  after  a  favorable  trip  with  a  long  train 
of  cars,  in  which  we  passed  the  Alleghanies  during  the  night,  we 
arrived  at  the  Ohio  river  at  breakfast  time  in  the  morning  of  11th. 
Ephriam  proceeded  on  homeward,  and  I  stopped  at  Wheeling  to 
breakfast.  After  breakfast  I  crossed  over  the  Ohio,  took  the  rail- 
way to  Steubeuville,  and  went  thence  to  William  H.  Ladd's.  It 
was  very  pleasant  to  greet  my  dear  wife  and  children  again,  and  to 
rest  with  them  on  Seventh-day  the  twelfth. 

;:  13th. — First-day. — Attended  First-day  Scriptural  school  at  Cross- 
creek,  at  half  past  nine  o'clock  A.  M.;  about  thirty  present.  Then 
at  Meeting  for  Worship.  At  three  o'clock  P.  M.  we  visited  a  Bible 
class,  taught  by  Caroline  Talbert,  wife  of  Kinsey  Talbert,  at  their 
dwelling;  an  interesting  class  of  thirty  or  more  in  attendance. 

At  six  o'clock  p.  M.  we  had  a  Bible  Meeting  in  Richmond, 
which  was  respectably  attended.  I  addressed  them  nearly  an  hour, 
and  was  listened  to  patiently. 

The  next  three  days  we  passed  agreeably  with  our  children, 
and  their  friends.  To  James  D.  Ladd's  on  the  14th  p.  M. ;  15th 
A.  M.  to  see  Benjamin  Hobson  and  Sarah  Ann,  his  wife  ;  and 
in  the  p.  m.  to  Matthew  Watson's  and  Eliza,  his  wife.  (She  has 
been  long  confined  by  indisposition.)  16th  A.  M.  to  Abraham  J. 
Hobson's  and  his  sister  Elizabeth;  and  in  the  P.  M.  to  William 
Henry  Crew's  and  Deborah,  his  wife. 

In  the  afternoon  of  17th  we  set  off  for  Quarterly  Meeting  at 
Mount  Pleasant,  and  staid  that  night  at  Joseph  Jones',  at  Smith- 
field,  on  our  way.    We  had  rain  before  arrival. 

18th. — Sixth-day. — We  went  forward  this  morning  from  Smith- 
field  to  Mount  Pleasant,  and  after  calling  at  the  house  of  our  friends 
George  and  Sarah  Jenkins,  we  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting 
of  Ministers  and  Elders;  about  eight  men  and  eight  or  nine 


196 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


women  present.  "We  had  a  pleasant  time  together,  and  after  meet- 
ing we  returned  to  George  Jenkins'  to  dinner.  In  the  afternoon, 
Will  iam  H.  Ladd  accompanied  me  to  the  Mount  Pleasant  boarding- 
school,  where  we  were  respectfully  received  by  Yeardley  and  Han- 
nah Ann  Warner,  the  superintendent  and  matron.  We  were  kindly 
and  freely  shown  through  the  premises,  and  heard  one  or  two  reci- 
tations. There  were  sixteen  girls  and  five  boys  in  the  school  at 
this  ti  me  (about  sixteen  or  seventeen  students  present.)  Went  to 
David  Updegrafif's  in  the  evening,  and  had  an  interesting  visit  with 
them  and  their  mother,  Ann  Taylor,  now  in  the  ninty-fifth  year  of 
her  age. 

19th. — Seventh-day. — Attended  Short  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting 
at  Mount  Pleasant.  It  was  small,  but  a  good  meeting.  Samuel 
Lloyd  obtained  the  sanction  of  the  meeting  for  a  religious  visit  to 
New  York,  New  England,  Baltimore  and  North  Carolina. 

We  dined  at  Jonathan  Binn's. 

At  five  o'clock  v.  M.  a  Bible  Meeting  was  held,  mainly,  no 
doubt,  at  my  suggestion.  A  respectable  company  present,  and  a 
good  meeting. 

We  made  a  pleasant  visit  to  EUwood  Ratcliffe  and  his  wife  Mar- 
tha, and  staid  the  night. 

20th. — First-day. — To  Scriptural  school  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.; 
school  not  large,  but  a  pleasant  time.  To  Meeting  for  Worship  at 
eleven  o'clock  a.  m.    A  good  meeting. 

Dined  with  G.  G.  and  Jane  M.  Plummer. 

Attended  a  First-day  school  meeting  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and 
had  a  pleasant  time  together. 

Returned  to  our  friends  George  and  Sarah  Jenkins',  and  passed 
the  evening  and  next  morning  very  agreeably  with  them. 

21st. — After  breakfast  we  called  at  Thomas  Terrell's,  who  has 
no  other  family  than  his  daughter  Olive.  Doctor  Updegrafi'  made 
an  application  of  chloride  of  zinc  to  a  large  troublesome  wart  on 
my  hand,  with  a  view  to  its  removal.  At  twelve  o'clock  Thomas 
Terrell  most  kindly  took  us  into  a  carriage  and  conveyed  us  to 
Wheeling,  at  which  place  we  left  in  the  cars  at  ten  minutes  past 
three  for  Baltimore. 

22d. — After  more  than  sixteen  hours  in  the  cars,  we  arrived  at 
Baltimore  about  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  were  kindly  taken  in  by 
Doctor  James  Carey  Thomas  and  his  amiable  wife  Mary.  After 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


197 


getting  some  refresliment  and  rest,  we  visited  our  dear  aged  friend 
Hugh  Balderston,  who  had  been  long  confined  by  illness,  and  who 
had  lived  longer  already  than  he  had  expected.  He  was  feeble, 
but  sitting  up;  and  we  had  a  pleasant  visit.  [This  dear  and  val- 
ued friend  departed  this  life  on  the  14th  of  the  Sixth-month  fol- 
lowing.] We  returned  to  Doctor  Thomas'  to  dinner,  and  in  the 
afternoon  made  a  very  pleasant  visit  to  Deborah,  the  widow  of  the 
late  Doctor  Richard  H.  Thomas,  who  has  a  pleasant  residence  near 
the  city,  having  the  Doctor's  children,  and  his  sister  Henrietta,  and 
her  own  aged  mother,  in  family.  We  returned  with  Doctor  James 
and  his  wife,  who  had  kindly  gone  with  us  in  the  evening. 

23d. — We  left  Baltimore  for  Philadelphia  at  forty  minutes  past 
eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  stopped  off  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  at 
eleven  o'clock,  to  make  a  short  visit  to  our  beloved  friends  John 
W.  Tatum  and  Amy  his  wife,  and  their  daughter  Hannah.  We 
enjoyed  the  visit  much,  and  had  pleasant  calls  from  our  friends 
Samuel  Hilles  and  wife,  and  Charles  Rowland  and  Gulielma  his 
wife,  who  is  a  daughter  of  S.  Hilles.  We  arrived  at  Philadelphia 
at  ten  o'clock  p.  M.,  being  most  kindly  met  and  taken  in  by  our 
friends  John  and  Mary  Whitall. 

24th. — Attended  a  Monthly  Meeting  in  Arch  street  at  ten  o'clock 
A.  M.;  after  meeting,  made  a  call  at  our  beloved  friend  Thomas 
Evans',  then  dined  at  Thomas  Kimber's;  in  the  afternoon  attended 
a  meeting  at  Arch  street  meeting-house,  in  regard  to  the  Oneida 
Indians;  and  afterward  took  tea  at  Doctor  Theophilus  E.  Beesely's. 

25th. — Accompanied  by  our  valued  friends  Isaac  and  Rebecca 
Collins,  we  were  conducted  through  the  House  of  Refuge,  an  in- 
stitution to  which  they  devote  much  time  and  labor  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  inmates.  The  institution  appears  to  be  in  excel- 
lent order,  and  the  opportunities  afforded  to  the  children  and  youth 
who  are  confined  here,  by  the  discipline  and  education  which  are  in- 
culcated, must  be  of  inestimable  value  to  them.  We  were  highly  en- 
tertained, and  much  interested  in  the  visit.  Our  friends  next  took 
us  to  the  Eastern  Penitentiary,  at  which  we  spent  a  short  time  see- 
ing its  construction,  etc.  The  confinement  is  solitary.  We  were 
admitted  into  one  of  the  cells  occupied  by  a  female  prisoner.  We 
next  went  with  Rebecca  to  the  Howard  House,  a  charitable  institu- 
tion for  destitute  women,  which  she  had  been  instrumental  in  es- 


198 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


tablisliing.  We  found  here  some  sixteen  woman.elean  and  comfort- 
able.   To  J.  M.  Whitall's  to  dinner. 

After  dinner  we  went  to  Haverford  College  by  railway,  several 
Friends  going  with  us.  It  was  pleasant  to  greet  again  our  friends 
Timothy^Nicholson,  the  superintendent,  Elizabeth  B.  Hopkins,  the 
matron,  and  Charles  Atherton,  who  is  acting  as  governor.  The  lo- 
cation and  outside  improvements  are  beautiful,  and  apparently 
healthy,  but  the  buildings  did  not  equal  our  expectations.  We  did 
not  have  opportunity,  in  the  short  stay  we  made,  to  hear  much  in  the 
way  of  recitations,  but  have  no  doubt  that  the  opportunities  afforded 
by  the  institution  for  good  education  are  excellent.  We  took  sup- 
per with  the  officers  and  students  now  about  sixty  in  number ;  then 
at  dark,  after  a  hasty  look  through  their  fine  large  telescope,  and 
at  several  other  fine  instruments,  we  returned  in  the  cars  to  Phila- 
delphia. 

26th. — Made  a  call  at  William  Evans', "attended  to  some  matters 
of  business,  then  went  to  dine  with  our  friends  Richard  and  Han- 
nah Richardson.  Here  we  met  with  our  friends  Edith  Griffith, 
Eli  Haines,  Joseph  and  Lydia  Haviland,  now  out  on  religious  con- 
cern. In  the  evening  we  went  to  Charles  and  Emma  Yarnall's  to 
tea,  and  met  with  a  very  pleasant  company. 

27th. — First-day. — Went  to  meeting  at  Twelfth  street — which 
was  a  good  meeting.  After  dinner  at  John  M.  Whitall's.  I  went  to 
Catherine  Shipley's  school  for  the  instruction  of  neglected  children  ; 
then,  at  half  past  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  attended  the  First-day  Scrip- 
tural school  at  Twelfth  street  meeting-house,  which  interested  us. 
We  took  tea  with  Townsend  Sharpless  and  wife,  and  attended  the 
evening  Meeting  for  Worship  at  seven  o'clock. 

28th. — Stephen  Morris  kindly  went  with  me  to  Radnor  to  visit 
his  father,  our  dear  aged  friend  Israel  W.  Morris,  which  was  very 
satisfactory.  Returning  we  called  at  Samuel  Rhoads',  but  he  had 
gone  to  the  city.  We  returned  and  dined  at  John  M.  Whitall's, 
and  left  for  Burlington  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.,  his  wife  Mary  kindly 
going  with  us.  Called  at  William  J.  Allinson's — at  tea  at  Joseph 
Taylor's  aad  his  sister  Hannah;  called  at  our  dear  friend  Susan  R. 
Smith's,  and  went  to  Eliza  P.  Gurney's  to  lodge. 

29th. — We  attended  Burlington  Quarterly  Meeting  at  ten  o'clock 
A.  M.  The  meeting  was  not  large,  but  agreeable.  Samuel  Allin- 
son,  clerk.    After  meeting  we  went  to  dine  with  Richard  Mott,  jr., 


I860.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


199 


and  wife,  with  our  friend  Hannah  Mott,  who  traveled  west  last 
season  with  E.  P.  Gurney.  We  had  tea  at  William  J.  Allinson's, 
and  after  tea,  had  an  interesting  call  on  our  aged  friend  Rebecca 
Grellet,  widow  of  the  late  Stephen  Grellet,  daughter  of  Isaac  Col- 
lins. She  gave  me  an  interesting  account  of  her  labors  as  proof 
reader  with  her  sister,  of  the  proof  sheets  of  the  quarto  Bible,  pub- 
lished by  her  father — the  first,  or  one  of  the  very  first,  which  was 
printed  on  this  side  the  Atlantic.  She  is  infirm,  but  entirely  bright 
in  her  mind — aged  about  eighty-two.  Afterward  we  made  a  pleas- 
ant call  at  our  friend  Rowland  Jones' ;  he  was  in  North  Carolina  in 
the  days  of  our  youth,  in  company  with  Abigail  Barker  and  Mar- 
garet Allinson,  whose  memory  is  sweet  to  us.  Returned  to  William 
J.  Allinson's  to  lodge. 

,  30th. — We  left  Burlington  at  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  for  New  York, 
and  arrived  at  Henry  Dickinson's,  164  Eldrige  street,  in  that  city, 
at  about  twelve  o'clock  M.  I  attended  the  "  Representative  Meet- 
ing" at  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  was  much  interested.  Over  thirty 
members  in  attendance. 

31st. — Fifth-day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
convened  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  About  seventy  men  and  fifty  woman 
present.    This  was  a  good  meeting. 

Sixth-month  1. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  New  York  was  opened 
to-day  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  About  two  hundred  and  fifty  to  two 
hundred  and  seventy-five  members  present  in  the  men's  apartment. 
Certificates  of  Friends  from  abroad,  epistles,  etc.,  proceeded  with. 
The  Friends  from  abroad  with  certificates,  are  Thomas  Frazier, 
Lindley  M.  Hoag,  from  Iowa;  Samuel  Lloyd,  from  Ohio,  accom- 
panied by  Asa  Williams;  Jeremiah  A.  Grinnell,  accompanied  by 
William  E.  Morris,  from  Indiana,  and  ourselves ;  Edith  Griffith, 
accompanied  by  Lydia  H.  Haviland  and  Eli  Haines,  from  western 
Pennsylvania.  [Julia  Ann  McCool,  accompanied  by  her  husband, 
Thomas  McCool,  from  Iowa,  and  Mary  Pinkham,  from  Ohio,  came 
in  before  the  meeting  ended.] 

We  dined  at  William  and  Mary  S.  Wood's,  and  attended  the  af- 
ternoon sitting  at  three  o'clock.  The  minutes  of  the  Representa- 
tive Meeting  were  read. 

We  had  an  interesting  Bible  Meeting  at  eight  o'clock  p.  Ji.  at 
the  meeting-house,  well  attended — held  pretty  much,  I  believe,  at 
my  suggestion.  It  gave  me  pleasure  to  witness  so  much  interest,  i 


200 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


2d. — The  Yearly  Meeting  convened  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  The 
minutes  of  last  year  were  read,  and  then  an  interesting  report  was 
read  of  the  "  Murray  Fund, "  and  the  distribution  of  books  by  the 
trustees.  A  report  of  the  Tract  Association,  although  an  independ- 
ent association,  was  introduced  and  read,  and  was  responded  to  by 
many  appropriate  remarks. 

We  dined  at  Robert  Lindley  and  Ruth  Murray's,  320  East  Thir- 
tieth street,  in  company  with  our  friends  Thomas  Frazier,  Rudolph 
Yorke,  and  several  other  Friends.  Then  to  meeting  again  at  four 
P.  M.,  when  an  interesting  report,  in  regard  to  education  and  schools, 
was  read. 

Another  Bible  Meeting  was  held  at  eight  o'clock  p.  M.,  at  which 
a  constitution  was  adopted,  and  an  association  regularly  organized. 
More  than  one  hundred  dollars  was  subscribed.  « 

3d. — First-day. — Large  Meetings  for  Worship  were  held  in  both 
rooms  of  the  fine  appropriate  meeting-house  on  Twentieth  street, 
where  the  Yearly  Meeting  is  held,  at  half  past  ten  o'clock  A.  M. 
The  meetings  in  the  main  room,  and  that  in  the  basement  were 
esteemed  very  favored  meetings.  Then  again  at  three  o'clock  p. 
51.  two  other  like  meetings  were  held ;  good  meetings  also. 

This  meeting-house  is  the  best,  everything  considered,  in  my 
opinion,  belonging  to  Friends,  on  this  continent. 

We  had  tea  at  William  Cromwell's. 

A  Youth's  Meeting  was  appointed  by  Lindley  M.  Hoag  and 
others,  and  held  at  eight  o'clock  p.  m.,  which  we  did  not  attend — 
rest  appearing  to  us  indispensable — but  it  was  reported  to  be  very 
large,  attended  with  edifying  interest. 

4th. — We  had  a  heart-comforting  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  El- 
ders at  eight  o'clock  A.  M. — a  time  of  real  fellowship. 

Two  sittings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  were  held  to-day  (at  ten 
and  four  o'clock),  in  which  the  consideration  of  the  state  of  Soci- 
ety occupied  the  time. 

We  dined  to-day  at  William  Underhill's,  son  of  our  friend  Phebe 
G.  Underbill. 

5th. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  convened  at 
eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  held  a  pleasant  closing  session.  The 
Yearly  Meeting  met  at  eleven  A.  M.,  and  again  at  four  o'clock  p. 
M.  The  reports  of  the  boarding-schools  at  Union  Springs  and 
Nine  Partners  were  read  to-day,  and  were  interesting. 


I 

I860.]  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  201 

We  dined  with  William  F.  Mott,  jr.,  and  had  tea  at  Doctor  Tho- 
mas Cock's. 

6th. — We  took  breakfast  this  morning  with  our  beloved  friend 
Paulina  Sands,  widow  of  the  late  David  Sands,  a  very  dear  friend 
to  whom  we  were  heartily  attached. 

We  were  made  glad  by  the  arrival  in  this  city  of  our  dear  child- 
ren Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson,  from  the  South.  Eli  looks  thin,  but 
is  somewhat  improved. 

A  large  and  good  Meeting  for  Worship  was  held  at  half  past  ten 
o'clock  A.  M. 

After  meeting,  we  dined  at  William  R.  Thurston's,  129  East 
Fifteenth  street. 

The  Yearly  Meeting  convened  at  four  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  held  its 
closing  session.  Friends  parted  in  a  united  and  thankful  manner, 
after  seven  o'clock  P.  M. 

We  went  to  Edward  Marshall's  to  tea. 

7th. — In  company  with  Henry  Dickinson,  I  called  at  the  office 
of  the  American  Bible  Union,  at  350  Broom  street,  and  had  a  short 
but  interesting  conversation  with  one  of  the  secretaries  and  Doctor 
Conant,  who  were  very  kind  and  respectful;  then  went  to  the  book- 
store of  S.  S.  and  William  Wood;  from  this  to  the  Custom-house 
(after  a  call  on  Marshall,  Dickinson  &  Co.),  and  a  little  through  that 
part  of  the  city;  then  I  returned  to  Henry  Dickinson's. 

The  decease  of  our  beloved  friend  J  ohn  Meader,  at  Providence 
R.  I.,  at  one  o'clock  this  morning,  was  announced  to-day.  This  an- 
nouncement, although  not  surprising,  as  his  health  had,  for  some 
time,  been  so  low  that  death  was  looked  for,  yet  it  brought  home  to 
the  minds  of  his  friends  a  solemn  feeling  of  sorrow  for  their  great 
loss  on  the  removal  of  this  dear  brother.  He  has  been  long  an 
able  and  gifted  laborer  in  the  church,  and  was,  as  we  confidently 
believe,  a  man  of  sound  Christian  faith  and  integrity,  and  we  un- 
derstand came  to  his  end  in  full  resignation  and  peace. 

He  preserves  in  his  autobiography  the  succeeding  obitu- 
ary notice  of  his  honored  friend,  taken  from  a  daily  paper : 

"Death  op  John  Mkader. — The  death  of  this  venerable  and  highly 
esteemed  Minister  of  the  Society  of  Friends — for  some  time  expected — 
U 


202 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860 


occurred  this  morning  at  one  o'clock,  at  his  residence  in  North  Court 
street,  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  The  tidings  will  carry  sor- 
row into  a  large  circle  of  denominational  and  personal  friends,  and  will 
cast  a  shade  of  solemnity  upon  the  approaching  gathering  of  his  life- 
long associates  in  the  New  England  Yearly  Meeting.  Friend  Meader, 
was,  we  believe,  a  native  of  Sandwich,  New  Hampshire,  where  he  spent 
the  early  portion  of  his  life.  He  afterward  resided  for  a  season  in 
Maine,  and  for  the  last  quarter  of  a  century  has  been  one  of  our  most 
honored  and  respected  citizens.  His  death  removes  another  of  the  up- 
right Quakers  of  the  olden  time,  whose  firm  devotion  to  the  principles 
of  George  Fox,  affords  landmarks  to  determine  the  position  the  Society 
once  occupied,  in  contrast  with  the  conforming  tendency  so  prevalent  at 
the  present  day."' 

We  proceed  with  the  narrative  under  the  same  date. 

In  the  afternoon,  at  four  o'clock  p.  M.,  I  attended  a  Monthly 
Meeting  of  the  Managers  of  the  American  Bible  Society  at  the 
Bible-house,  Astor  Place,  and  was  interested  in  their  proceedings. 
I  had  a  few  days  before,  in  company  with  Eli  Jones,  visited  the  estab- 
lishment, and  been  kindly  shown  through  the  various  offices.  The 
officers  are  aware  that  I  favor  their  cause,  and  treat  me  with  a 
marked  respect.  I  regretted  not  meeting  the  venerable  Doctor 
Cock  here,  as  I  had  expected,  he  being  an  old  member,  and  a  vete- 
ran in  the  cause. 

Our  children  Eli  and  Mary  C.  Johnson  came  to  Henry  Dickin- 
son's to  tea,  where  we  had  an  interesting  company  of  young  people, 
and  passed  a  very  pleasant  evening  with  them. 

Mary  Pinkham  from  Ohio,  and  Julia  Ann  McCool  from  Iowa, 
accompanied  by  her  husband  Thomas  McCool,  having  arrived  in 
the  city  about  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  are  on  their  way  to 
New  England  on  a  religious  visit. 

8th. — Sixth-day. — Charles  and^'  Rhoda  arrived  in  this  city,  and 
arrangements  were  made  for  going  forward  to  Newport  this  evening. 
Accordingly,  a  considerable  number  of  us  went  to  the  boat,  to  start 
at  five  o'clock  p.  m.  Our  dear  friends  Eli  and  Sybil  Jones,  and 
their  daughter  Sybil  Narcissa,  had  made  their  home  with  us  at 
Henry  Dickinson's  during  the  Yearly  Meeting.  We  had  an  agree- 
able passage  across  the  sound,  and  arrived  at  Newport  about  three 
o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  9th ;  and  my  wife  and  I,  and  Thomas  Frazier, 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


203 


Samuel  Lloyd  and  Asa  Williams  went,  by  previous  engagement,  to 
Stephen  Chase's,  on  Spring  street,  where  we  made  our  home  during 
the  Yearly  Meeting. 

Attended  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M. ;  sixty-eight  men  and  sixty-two  women  present.  The 
funeral  of  our  dear  friend  John  Meader  being  appointed  at  twelve 
o'clock  M.,  at  Providence,  the  Providence  Friends  remained  to 
attend  it,  and  then  came  on  to  the  afternoon  sitting,  which  was 
held  at  four  o'clock. 

A  session  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  was  held  at  six  o'clock 
P.  Ji. 

10th. — First-day. — The  wind  blew  strong,  and  the  day  was  really 
cool.  The  Yearly  Meeting  for  Worship  was  held  at  ten  o'clock 
A.  M.,  and  was  a  large  and  interesting  meeting.  We  went  to  David 
Buffum's  to  dinner ;  and  Thomas  Buffum  kindly  went  with  me  to 
Portsmouth,  to  the  afternoon  Yearly  Meeting  at  that  place,  at  four 
o'clock.  The  house  was  well  filled,  and  we  had  a  good  meeting ; 
then  returned  to  David  Buffum's  to  tea ;  then  to  Newport. 

11th. — Second -day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  was  opened  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.;  about  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  men  present. 
Adjourned  soon  after  twelve  o'clock,  and  met  again  at  four  o'clock 
p.  M.  After  meeting  I  went  to  the  Redwood  Library,  which  is  a 
very  interesting  establishment ;  then,  in  the  evening,  attended  the 
Alumni  Association,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock,  at  the  Aquidnuck 
Hall.  The  room  was  well  filled,  and  an  oration  and  a  poem  were 
delivered. 

12th. — A  session  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  was  held  at  ten  o'clock 
A.  M. ;  after  which  we  dined  at  George  Bowen's ;  then  attended  a 
meeting  of  the  education  committee  at  half-past  two  o'clock  ;  then 
another  session  of  the  Yearly  Meeting;  and  finally,  at  half-past 
seven  o'clock  p.  M.,  a  Bible  Meeting  was  held,  mainly,  I  believe,  at 
my  suggestion.  About  three  hundred  Friends,  male  and  female, 
were  in  attendance,  and  we  had  an  interesting  and  satisfactory 
meeting ;  but  not  having  time  to  organize  into  an  association,  it 
was  agreed  to  meet  again  for  that  object  the  next  evening. 

13th. —  Fourth-day. —  The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and 
Elders  convened  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  held  a  solemn  meeting. 
A  communication  from  our  late  dear  friend  John  Meader  was  read 


204 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


8nd  approved ;  and  his  virtues  and  value  as  a  Christian  minister 
were  dwelt  upon  at  considerable  length. 

Two  sessions  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  were  held  to-day,  at  ten 
and  at  four  o'clock.    We  dined  at  Mary  Williams'. 

The  education  committee  met  at  half-past  seven  o'clock  P.  M. ; 
and  after  dwelling  for  an  hour  or  more  on  the  subject  of  First-day 
schools  for  Scriptural  instruction,  during  which  many  remarks 
■were  made,  the  committee  closed,  and  the  meeting  was  merged  into 
a  Bible  Meeting,  the  main  object  being  to  accomplish  an  organiza- 
tion. A  constitution  which  had  been  prepared  was  read  and 
adopted ;  then  subscriptions  of  membership  were  received ;  and 
then  officers  were  appointed.  Much  lively  feeling  was  manifested 
on  this  occasion ;  over  one  hundred  Friends  gave  in  their  names  as 
members. 

14th. — A  closing  session  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers 
and  Elders  was  held  at  eight  o'clock  p.  M.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
met  at  half-past  ten,  and  again  at  four  o'clock,  and  held  until  about 
seven  ;  then  came  to  a  conclusion. 

It  was  generally  esteemed  to  have  been  a  pleasant  favored  meet- 
ing, I  believe.  Our  friends,  Thomas  Frazier,  Lindley  M.  Hoag, 
Samuel  Lloyd,  Jeremiah  A.  Grinnell,  Joseph  Haviland,  Edith 
Griffith,  Iluldah  Atwater,  Mary  Pinkham,  Hannah  S.  Fry,  and 
Julia  Ann  MeCool,  ministers  from  other  parts,  were  in  attendance, 
with  certificates  or  minutes. 

15th. — We  left  Newport  at  half-past  five  o'clock  for  New  Bed- 
ford, calling  on  the  way  at  our  friend  Ellis  GiflFord's,  at  Fall  River, 
for  breakfast.  We  came  to  New  Bedford  at  half-past  one  o'clock 
V.  M.,  and  found  a  cordial  reception  at  our  beloved  friend  Susan 
Rowland's.  Charles  Rowland,  and  Gulielma  his  wife,  of  Wil- 
mington, were  also  there.  We  drank  tea  at  Edward  and  Gulielma 
Howland's ;  our  children,  Charles,  Rhoda,  Eli  and  Mary,  were  also 
present.  Had  much  interesting  conversation  with  Edward  and 
Gulielma,  in  regard  to  a  journey  to  Egypt  and  Palestine,  which 
they  had  lately  performed. 

16th. — We  had  an  interesting  ride  around  "The  Point''  with 
Charles  and  Rachel  Rowland,  and  through  part  of  New  Bedford. 
The  weather  is  delightful.  We  went  to  Matthew  and  Rachel  How- 
land's  to  tea — Lindley  M.  Hoag  also  there — and  passed  a  pleasant 
evening.  ^ 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


205 


17th. — First-day. — To  meeting  at  New  Bedford  at  half-past  teu 
o'clock  A.  M.  After  dinner,  at  two  o'clock,  we  attended  the  First- 
day  school ;  Henry  T.  Wood,  superintendent.  Then  attended  the 
afternoon  meeting  at  four  o'clock.  After  tea,  we  went,  Susan  and 
Rachel  Howland  with  us,  to  a  Mission  Sabbath  School  Meeting, 
intended  for  sailors,  for  the  poor,  and  such  as  seldom  go  to  any 
meeting.  There  were  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  present — a  re- 
markable mixture  of  colors,  nations,  children,  and  mature  people. 
They  behaved  orderly^and  attentively,  while  we  read  Scripture  and 
addressed  them.  The  title  of  the  association  is  "  The  Ladies'  City 
Tract  and  Missionary  Society."  The  conductor  of  the  meeting  is 
T.  R.  Dennison,  assisted  by  his  amiable  daughter.  We  feel  much 
sympathy  with  them,  and  believe  there  is  ground  of  hope  for  much 
good  through  their  labors. 

Lindley  M.  Hoag  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Friends'  meeting 
house,  for  the  youth,  at  the  same  hour,  which  we  understood  was  a 
good  meeting. 

18th. — We  left  New  Bedford  for  Nantucket,  and  passing  Sand- 
wich and  other  towns,  we  embarked  by  steamboat  at  Hyannis,  and 
came  to  the  island  at  half-past  one  o'clock,  and  were  kindly  taken 
in  by  our  friends  Thomas  and  Christina  Macy.  Our  friends,  Samuel 
Lloyd,  Asa  Hunt,  Hannah  S.  Fry,  Lindley  M.  Ferris,  and  Mary 
his  wife,  were  in  company.  Mary  Pinkham  had  gone  before  us  to 
the  island. 

19th. — This  forenoon  we  had  a  pleasant  and  interesting  ride  with 
our  friends  Lindley  and  Mary  Ferris  to  Seasconset,  a  fishing  village, 
on  the  east  end  of  the  island,  eight  miles  from  the  city.  After  a 
ehort  stay  here,  we  returned  by  the  new  lighthouse  at  Sesachachy, 
which  we  ascended,  and  had  the  examination  of  the  splendid  lantern 
and  its  machinery. 

I  visited  one  of  the  public  schools  in  the  afternoon,  of  about 
one  hundred  and  seventy  students,  which  appeared  to  be  well 
conducted. 

Samuel  Lloyd  and  Hannah  S.  Fry  had  an  appointed  meeting,  at 
Friends'  meeting-house,  at  half-past  six  o'clock  p.m.;  thirty  men 
and  forty  women  attended.  The  small  number  was  cause  of  dis- 
couragement ;  but  the  meeting  was  a  pleasant  one. 

20th. — I  passed  much  of  the  forenoon  with  Eliza  Barney,  afi"ord- 
ing  her  some  assistance  in  compiling  a  genealogical  catalogue  of 


206 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


the  early  white  settlers  on  Nantucket,  and  their  descendents.  Then 
■we  visited  the  Coffin  School,  a  well-regulated  institution,  of  about 
sixty  students ;  then  returned  to  Nathaniel  and  Eliza  Barney's  to 
dinner.  After  dinner,  we  made  calls  at  some  shops ;  obtained  a 
few  shells  ;  called  at  our  friend  George  Easton's  ;  and  then  went  to 
tea  with  our  friend  William  Mitchell  and  family,  where  we  had  a 
further  acquaintance  with  his  daughter  Maria,  the  astronomer. 

Samuel  Lloyd  and  Hannah  S.  Fry  had  an  appointed  meeting,  at 
the  Baptist  meeting-house,  at  half-past  seven  o'clock  p.m.;  about 
seventy-five  to  eighty  present ;  a  good  meeting. 

21st. — Fifth-day. — Our  friends  went  to  the  boat  and  left  the 
island  this  morning.  We  attended  the  regular  meeting  of  Friends 
at  ten  o'clock,  being  also  Preparative  Meeting ;  ten  men  and  nine 
women  present.  We  could  but  feel  the  great  falling  off  in  the 
number  of  our  Society  in  Nantucket.  In  the  afternoon  we  visited 
several  aged  friends :  Rachel  Swain,  aged  eighty-seven ;  Eunice 
Fitch,  eighty-five  ;  Cromwell  Barnard,  ninety-one  ;  and  Peter 
Paddack,  eighty-five ;  also  Matthew  Barney,  and  Sally  his  wife. 

22d. — We  left  Nantucket  at  forty-five  minutes  past  six  o'clock, 
for  Hyannis,  where  we  were  joined  on  the  cars  by  several  friends. 
We  passed  Boston  at  thirty  minutes  past  twelve  o'clock,  and  arrived 
at  Lynn  at  thirty  minutes  past  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  made  our 
home  with  our  esteemed  young  friends  Charles  F.  Coffin  and  Maria 
his  wife.  Toward  evening  we  had  a  delightful  ride  with  them  to 
Marblehead,  etc.,  and  in  the  evening  received  calls  from  several  dear 
friends,  Samuel  Boyce,  Micajah  Pratt,  and  others. 
.  r  23d. — I  went  to  Cambridge,  via  Boston,  on  a  visit  to  my  young 

friend  Joseph  Moore,  and  to  see  the  place,  the  Harvard  University 
buildings,  etc.  He  is  now  a  student,  and  gave  me  a  cordial  recep- 
tion ;  then  showed  me  around,  much  to  my  entertainment.  I  re- 
turned in  the  afternoon,  and  after  making  a  call  on  our  aged  friend 
Avis  Keene,  we  went  to  Micajah  Pratt's  to  tea,  where  we  passed  an 
agreeable  evening  with  many  friends. 

2-4th. — Fir&t-daij. — To  meeting  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  After  meet- 
ing to  Samuel  Boyce's  to  dinner.  Then  Charles  F.  Coffin  kindly 
took  me  to  Salem,  to  the  afternoon  meeting.  We  returned  to 
Nathan  Breed's  to  tea,  and  had  a  large  company  of  forty  friends, 
whom  I  addressed  on  the  supply  and  circulatioa  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 


1860.  ] 


LIFB  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


207 


tures.  My  remarks  appeared  to  be  well  received,  and  were  very 
kindly  responded  to  by  several. 

In  the  morning  of  the  25th,  we  left  Lynn  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M., 
for  Vassalborough,  Maine,  and  passing  Salem,  Portsmouth,  Portland, 
Augusta,  and  many  other  towns,  we  arrived  at  Vassalborough  at 
five  o'clock  p.  M.,  and  were  kindly  received  by  our  friends  John  D. 
and  Almira  Lang.  In  the  evening  I  made  a  short  visit  to  Oakgrove 
School,  which  is  superintended  by  our  friend  James  Van  Blarcom, 
and  taught  by  Albert  K.  Smiley. 

Next  day,  the  26th,  being  Monthly  Meeting  at  China  Neck,  John 
D.  Lang  and  Almira  his  wife,  kindly  took  us  in  their  carriage,  and 
we  went  together  to  the  meeting.  Here  we  met  with  our  friends 
James  Jones,  Eli  Jones,  and  others,  and  were  much  interested  in 
attending  the  meeting.  Returning  in  the  evening,  we  visited  the 
students  and  oflBcers  of  the  Oakgrove  School.  There  are  about 
thirty-five  boarders,  and  twenty-five  day  scholars  from  the  neigh- 
borhood. I  have  no  doubt  of  the  valuable  influence  of  the  insti- 
tution. ; 

27th. — We  left  Vassalborough  this  morning,  intending  to  return 
home  pretty  directly,  making  calls  on  the  way  at  Union  Springs, 
New  York  and  Cincinnati.  Proceeded  by  railway  to  Boston,  on  the 
same  road  on  which  we  came  out.  Next  day,  the  28th,  we  went  to 
Albany,  and  on  the  29th,  from  Albany  to  Union  Springs.  We  were 
welcomed  to  a  pleasant  home  by  our  friends  Robert  B.  and  Susanna 
Howland.  On  the  30th,  we  rested,  and  I  visited  the  village,  How- 
land's  flouring  and  gypsum  mills,  and  his  gypsum  quarry,  which 
interested  me.  There  is  a  fine  and  beautiful  country  here  about 
this  pretty  Cayuga  Lake. 

Seventh-month  1, 1860. — First-day. — To  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock. 
The  meeting  is  small,  but  was  to-day  a  pleasant  time.  We  dined 
with  our  friend  Wm.  Henry  Chase,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  and 
their  interesting  family.  At  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  we  attended  the 
Scriptural  school  at  the  Seminary  which  was  interesting  and  satis- 
factory. Then  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.,  went  with  our  friend  Susanna 
Howland,  to  hear  her  infant  class  at  the  meeting-house.  We  went 
to  tea  to  our  friend  John  J.  Thomas',  and  Mary,  his  wife,  and  after- 
ward to  the  evening  reading  at  the  Seminary,  and  then  to  R.  B. 
Howland's  to  lodge. 

2d. — We  returned  to  the  Union  Springs  Seminary  at  eight  o'clock 


I 


208  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1860. 

A.  M.,  and  heard  several  recitations.  Then  back  to  R.  B.  H's,  to 
dinner  ;  and  after  dinner,  we  set  off  with  him  to  the  Cayuga  Bridge, 
at  which  place  we  took  the  cars.  Passed  Geneva,  Skenectady, 
Batavia  and  Rochester,  to  Buffalo,  and  thence  by  night  train  on  the 
Lake  Shore,  to  Cleveland.  We  breakfasted  at  Cleveland,  on  the 
3d,  and  proceeding,  dined  at  Columbus,  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  ar- 
rived at  Cincinnati  at  about  five  o'clock  p.  M.,  where  we  had  again 
the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  our  dear  children. 

Resting  at  Cincinnati  on  the  4th,  we  went  homeward  next  morn- 
ing, and  arrived,  heartily  grateful  for  the  many  favors  which  we 
had  enjoyed,  at  our  own  sweet  home  on  Fifth-day,  the  5th,  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M. 

The  next  two  days  I  was  doing  some  correspondence,  attending 
to  business  of  the  Bible  Association,  and  endeavoring  to  get  some 
rest. 

9th. — First-day. — To  Scripture  school  at  nine  o'clock;  eighty- 
geven  present.    Then  after  meeting,  to  the  school  at  Sevastopol. 

During  the  next  week,  I  was  about  home  attending  to  various 
concerns  ;  mainly  at  work  on  the  "  Scripture  Exercises,"  on  Kings, 
Chronicles,  and  the  Prophets.    Visited  the  Earlham  College. 

16th. — Studiously  engaged  at  the  "  Exercises." 

17th. — Jeremiah  A.  Grinnell  andWm.  E.  Morris  came  in,  on  their 
return  from  their  eastern  journey. 

18th. — Eclipse  of  the  sun  at  thirty  minutes  past  seven  o'clock  A. 
M. ;  visible  ;  the  sun  half  covered. 

From  this  time  until  the  29th,  I  was  much  engaged  on  the  "  Ex- 
ercises." 

20th. — A  great  meteor  passed  over  Canada  and  the  United  States 
from  W.  N.  W.  to  E.  S.  E. 

30th. — To  the  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee,  at  eleven 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Bible  Associa- 
tion in  the  afternoon. 

Eiglitli-montli  4. — The  second  meeting  of  the  Whitewater  branch 
of  the  general  committee  on  schools  for  Scriptural  instruction,  was 
held  at  Bethel  to-day,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M. ;  about  sixty  present,  and 
an  interesting  meeting. 

The  examination  at  Earlham  College,  took  place  on  the  6th  and 
7th,  and  the  closing  exercises  on  the  8th. 

I  left  home  on  the  morning  of  the  8th,  on  a  journey  to  Iowa, 


I860.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


209 


with  a  committee  appointed  by  our  Yearly  Meeting,  on  the  request 
of  the  Friends  of  that  State,  for  the  establishment  of  a  new  Yearly 
Meeting.  Proceeded  by  Indianapolis,  Lafayette,  and  Michigan 
City,  to  Chicago.  Next  day,  the  9th,  to  Davenport.  On  the  10th, 
to  West  Liberty,  in  the  morning  ;  and  thence  to  lied  Cedar,  with 
our  friend  Greenberry  P.  Wood,  who  came  to  the  station  for  us. 

We  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at 
two  o'clock  p.  M.  ;  twelve  men  and  sixteen  women  present.  A 
pleasant  meeting.  At  seven  o'clock  p.  m.,  the  branch  committee  on 
First-day  schools  met. 

11th. — Seventh-day. — Red  Cedar  Quarterly  Meeting  convened  at 
eleven  o'clock  A.  m.  Twelve  of  the  Yearly  Meeting's  committee 
were  in  attendance,  viz. :  Joseph  Cox,  Daniel  Williams,  Elijah 
*  Coffin,  George  Evans,  Isaac  Jay,  Micajah  C.  Binford,  John  Iladley, 
jr.,  Thomas  Bond,  Jane  Johnson,  Abigail  Morris,  Elizabeth  Cox, 
and  Lydia  B.  Macy.  About  two  hundred  men,  and  two  hundred 
women  present.  The  meeting  sat  long,  and  it  was  a  good  time. 
The  members  appeared  to  be  entirely  united  in  the  desire  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Yearly  Meeting  in  Iowa.  Meeting  rose  about 
five  o'clock. 

A  Bible  Meeting  was  held  at  seven  o'clock  p.  m.;  about  two  hun- 
dred present,  and  a  lively  time.  The  subject  of  Scripture  distribu- 
tion and  Scripture  reading  was  pretty  thoroughly  stirred  up,  and 
much  good  feeling  for  the  work  was  manifested. 

12th. — I  attended  the  First-day  school  at  Red  Cedar,  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.  Laura  Tatum,  superintendent ;  sixty-three  students 
present.    A  good  school. 

Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  m.,  largely  attended. 

Our  friend  Amelia  Darlington  is  quite  ill  at  Greenberry  Wood's. 
She  was  not  able  to  attend  meeting  either  yesterday  or  to-day. 

I  went  to  Thomas  and  Arabella  Winn's  to  dinner. 

Jeremiah  A.  Grinnell,  who  was  formerly  a  member  of  this  meet- 
ing, was  in  attendance  at  the  Quarterly  Meeting  ;  and  held  an  ap- 
pointed meeting  for  the  youth,  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.  to-day.  I  did 
not  attend,  as  I  was  feeble. 

Our  friend  Joel  Bean  laid  before  the  Quarterly  Meeting  yester- 
day, a  prospect  of  a  religious  visit  to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  It 
was  a  weighty  subject,  and  received  a  sympathetic  response  in  its 
favor  from  the  meeting. 


210 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


We  called  a  few  minutes  at  Westbranch,  at  Joel  Bean's,  to  see 
Joel  and  his  wife,  an  amiable  couple,  on  our  way  to  Phinebas 
Cowgill's,  where  we  staid. 

13th. — When  I  left  home  on  the  8th,  the  weather  was  extremely 
hot,  but  a  change  commenced  on  the  evening  of  the  9th,  and  this 
morning  wc  have  a  little  frost.  The  crops  of  wheat  and  oats  have 
been  harvested,  and  mostly  stored  away,  and  are  considered  un- 
usually good.  The  fields  of  corn  on  the  wayside,  from  home  to 
Chicago,  and  from  Chicago  to  Ilock  Island  are  exceeding  rich  and 
beautiful,  with  very  little  exception,  and  will  yield  largely  no  doubt. 

The  same  may  be  said  of  the  fields  in  Iowa,  so  far.  The  grass 
lands  also  produced  good  crops  of  hay.  For  two  years  before  this, 
there  has  been  great  failure  of  crops  in  Iowa,  so  much  so,  that 
scarcity  existed  in  some  places,  and  the  people  were  a  good  deal 
discouraged.  But  now  the  prospect  is  so  cheering  that  a  spirit  of 
hopefulness  and  encouragement  prevails.  May  the  good  Giver  be 
remembered  for  honor  in  the  time  of  prosperity !  Further  to  the 
south,  drovght  is  reported  to  prevail  to  a  distressing  extent.  We 
hear  this  from  southern  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Texas  and  Kansas  ; 
and  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  south  pretty  generally  feel  it  more  or 
less.    In  all  the  north  the  crops  are  generally  good. 

We  went  west  nine  miles  to  Iowa  City — and  after  a  short  call 
here  proceeded,  still  westward,  up  the  Iowa  Biver.  The  railway 
from  Iowa  City  toward  Des  Moines  is  about  finished  a  few  miles 
westward  from  Iowa  City,  and  they  are  progressing  with  the  work. 
The  country  upon  our  route  does  not  appear  to  me  to  be  equal  to 
Cedar  county,  yet  there  is  much  good  land. 

We  traveled  in  the  day  about  45  miles,  and  staid  at  a  village 
called  Acosta. 

14th. — We  were  off  early,  and  had  rain  about  the  time  of  start- 
ing and  during  most  of  the  forenoon,  and  it  was  also  quite  cool  and 
chilly.  I  looked  upon  the  country  along  our  route,  still  less  'de- 
sirable than  that  we  passed  through  yesterday,  but  as  we  ap- 
proached La  Grand,  in  Marshall  county,  there  was  a  decided  im- 
provement— about  this  place,  the  country  is  beautiful.  We  staid  at 
Marshalltown,  the  county  seat,  at  the  house  of  William  Batten, 
who  is  judge  of  the  court,  who  with  Elizabeth  his  wife,  took  us  in 
and  treated  us  with  much  kindness. 

15th. — We  left  Marshalltown  early,  and  proceeded  by  way  of 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


211 


Marietta,  through  a  fine  country  to  Bangor,  to  the  Meeting  for 
Worship  at  11  o'clock  A.  m.  We  called  for  a  few  minutes  at  David 
S.  Macy's,  before  meeting.    Friends  have  a  new  unfinished  frame 

meeting  house,  ,  and  there  was  an  attendance  to-day  of  about 

five  hundred  persons,  male  ancf  female.  We  had  a  good  meeting, 
and  afterward  dined  at  James  Owen's — then  returned  to  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  four  o  clock  p.  M.  This 
was  attended  by  nineteen  men  and  twelve  women,  beside  our  com- 
mittee, and  was  an  agreeable  meeting.  ' 

A  seven  o'clock  a.  m.  a  Bible  Meeting  was  held,  which  was  nu- 
merously attended — the  work  received  a  lively  impulse,  and  much 
good  spirit  prevailed.  Steps  were  taken  here,  as  at  Red  Cedar,  to 
do  some  work  in  the  way  of  canvassing  for  the  supply  of  the  des- 
titute. 

We  staid  at  James  Owen's. 

16th. — Fifth-day. — The  First-day  School  Committee  convened 
at  half  past  eight  o'clock  A.  M.;  the  Education  Committee  at  nine 
o'clock ;  and  the  Book  and  Tract  Committee  at  half  past  nine  A.  M. 
These  committees  were  all  interesting.  At  eleven  o'clock  A.  M., 
Bangor  Quarterly  Meeting  convened — four  hundred  and  fifty  to 
five  hundred  in  attendance.  There  was  much  business  and  the 
meeting  held  long.  Our  friends  David  Hunt,  James  Owen  and 
Eli  Jessup  were  liberated  by  certificates  for  religious  service 
abroad.  The  Yearly  Meeting's  committee  had  a  pleasant  interview, 
and  the  meeting  closed  solemnly  and  in  much  good  feeling.  After 
dining  at  James  Owen's,  we  went  near  night  to  Ann  Raley's  and 
staid. 

17th. — We  left  early  for  South  River  Quarterly  Meeting,  pursu- 
ing a  course  a  little  to  the  west  of  south.  We  were  soon  in  a 
prairie  of  about  thirteen  miles  across,  and  after  this  came  to  a 
village  called  Iowa  Center  where  we  dined,  and  then  proceeded  on 
our  way,  and  came  to  Skunk  River  in  about  twelve  miles  more ; 
then  down  that  river  to  Ishmael  Lee's,  where  we  staid.  We  were 
very  tired,  having  traveled  over  forty  miles,  and  the  county  through 
which  we  passed  was  not  so  interesting  as  some  other  parts  we  had 
seen. 

Eiffhfh-month  18. — We  were  on  the  road  early,  and  after  traveling 
through  a  settled  country  (crossing  the  Des  Moines  river,  at  Adelphi) 
we  stopped  at  Charles  Hinshaw's  to  dinner.     Then  proceeded  to 


212 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860, 


South  River  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  at 
four  P.  ii.  This  was  attended  by  nine  men  and  seven  women,  beside 
the  committee,  twenty-eight  in  all.  After  meeting  we  went  to 
Jesse  Blair's  and  staid. 

19th. — First-day. — The  First-day  school  committee  convened  at 
nine  A.  m.;  then  at  eleven  o'clock  the  public  Meeting  for  Worship 
convened;  about  five  hundred  persons  in  attendance.  Daniel  Wil- 
liams and  Isaac  Jay  spoke  at  some  length,  and  acceptably,  I  be- 
lieve. At  four  P.  M.  a  Bible  Meeting  was  held,  about  three  hun- 
dred being  present.  Remarks  were  made  on  the  design  and  object 
of  Bible  Associations,  and  in  the  state  of  the  supply  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  in  this  and  other  countries,  and  other  branches  of  the 
subject  at  some  length,  after  which  an  organization  was  formed  aux- 
iliary to  the  Indiana  Association.  I  went  to  John  Tomlinson's  and 
staid. 

20th. — The  Education  Committee  convened  at  nine  A.  M. ;  then 
at  eleven  o'clock.  South  River  Quarterly  Meeting  met,  about  five 
hundred  being  in  attendance  ;  part  of  the  number  outside  the  house, 
as  the  house  could  not  hold  that  number,  being  48  by  36.  The  at- 
tention of  the  meeting  was  called  to  our  concern,  and  a  general 
expression  of  unity  with  the  request  followed.  Our  friend  Rho- 
dema  Newlin,  obtained  the  approbation  of  the  meeting  for  religious 
service  abroad.  After  meeting,  which  closed  satisfactorily,  we  dined 
at  Jesse  Blair's,  then  left  at  six  o'clock,  on  our  way  to  Pleasant 
Plain  Quarterly,  and  proceeded  nine  miles  and  staid.  Our  course 
was  nearly  east. 

We  proceeded  eastward,  in  the  direction  of  Oscaloosa,  early, 
twelve  miles,  and  crossed  the  Des  Moines  river  at  a  ford.  It  is  a 
beautiful  stream  here  as  it  was  at  Adelphi.  Thence  nine  miles  to 
Pella,  a  town  settled  in  an  excellent  region  of  country,  chiefly  by 
emigrants  from  Holland.  It  is  a  well  looking  and  improving  town, 
of  about  two  thousand  five  hundred  inhabitants.  We  dined  at  a 
'  tavern  in  town,  at  noon  ;  and  after  an  hour's  rest,  proceeded  toward 
Oscaloosa,  and  staid  in  the  neighborhood  of  Spring  Creek,  at 
William  Fry's.  Here  we  became  acquainted  with  Benjamin  Fry, 
William's  father,  an  aged  minister,  who  is  now  too  feeble  with  age 
and  infirmity  to  attend  meetings.  He  appeared  lively  and  good 
spirited,  and  delighted  to  discourse  on  religious  subjects. 

Eighth-month  22. — We  went  to  Spring  Creek  meeting  house 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


213 


early,  in  order  to  attend  a  Bible  Meeting,  at  nine  o'clock.  It  was 
adjourned,  after  doing  some  business,  until  half  past  six,  P.  M.  At 
eleven  the  Meeting  for  Worship  convened;  about  four  hundred 
present. 

Our  friend,  Amelia  Darlington,  whom  we  left  sick  at  Red  Cedar, 
died  to-day, — the  news  of  her  decease  came  to  us  at  Salem. 

At  four  P.  M.  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
met  at  this  place.  Eleven  men  and  eleven  women  and  the  commit- 
tee present. 

The  Bible  Meeting  was  held  in  the  evening,  and  was  pretty  well 
attended,  and  a  satisfactory  meeting.  We  staid  at  Benjamin  Hol- 
lingsworth's. 

23d. — i^//V7i-(7f7_y.— Pleasant  Plain  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held 
at  Spring  Creek  to-day, — about  four  hundred  and  twenty  present. 
The  meeting  was  satisfactory.  They  appeared  to  be  well  united  in 
their  request  for  a  Yearly  Meeting. 

A  new  and  good  looking  building,  38  by  52  feet,  has  just  been 
erected  at  Spring  Creek,  for  the  purpose  of  a  boarding-school. 
The  house  is  nearly  ready  for  the  reception  of  officers  and  stu- 
dents ;  and  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  in  whose  care  it  is  to  be  oon- 
ducted,  adopted  regulations,  and  appointed  a  committee  for  the 
management  of  the  school. 

We  dined  at  Benjamin  Hollingsworth's,  and  afterward,  George 
Evans  and  I  went  to  Daniel  Presnall's  and  staid. 

24th. — We  parted  last  evening  with  our  young  friend,  Dillworth 
Schooley,  who  had  kindly  brought  us  thus  far  from  Red  Cedar,  and 
now  Daniel  Presnall  takes  us  in  his  carriage  to  Ottumwa.  We  set 
off  early  from  his  house  and  went  to  Oscaloosa  to  meet  with  the 
rest  of  our  company,  then  proceeded  forward  to  Ottumwa,  about 
twenty-five  miles.  We  called  here  for  dinner,  and  I  went  for  a  few 
minutes,  to  see  our  young  friends  Benjamin  Ladd  and  wife.  We 
took  the  cars  and  went  forward  by  railway  to  Mount  Pleasant,  forty 
five  miles,  first  parting  with  our  friends  who  brought  us  from  the 
neighborhood  of  Oscaloosa.  We  took  tea  with  Francis  White  and 
wife,  and  then  went  on  with  our  friend  Willet  Dorland  to  his  house 
in  Salem,  where  we  staid. 

Eighth-month  25. — Seventh-day. — I  was  not  well  last  night,  and 
kept  pretty  quiet  this  forenoon,  and  wrote  one  or  two  letters.  Salom 


214 


LIFE  OF    ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  was  held  at  four  P.  M. — 
attended  by  eleven  men  and  ten  women  and  the  committee. 

27th. — First-day. — I  attended  the  First  day-school  at  nine  A.  sr., 
which  was  satisfactory.  Then  the  Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven, 
four  hundred  and  fifty  to  five  hundred  present.  After  meeting,  we 
dined  at  Joel  lliatt's,  then  attended  a  Bible  Meeting  at  half-past 
three  P.  m.,  about  one  hundred  present.  An  association,  auxiliary 
to  the  Indiana  Bible  Association  was  organized.  Took  tea  at  Allen 
Hiatt's. 

27th. — Attended  the  First-day  School  Committee,  at  nine  A.  u.; 
then,  at  eleven  o'clock,  Salem  Quarterly  Meeting  convened :  about 
four  hundred  present.  The  request  for  a  Yearly  Meeting  was  con- 
sidered at  the  proposal  of  our  committee,  and  united  with,  generally, 
without  dissent.  There  was  much  business,  but  it  was  nearly  gone 
through  at  three  p.  M.,  and  as  I  wished  to  arrive  at  home  next  day, 
I  left  at  that  hour,  Isaac  Jay  with  me,  and  we  were  kindly  taken  by 
Willet  Borland  to  Mount  Pleasant,  where  we  entered  the  cars  going 
east.  We  crossed  the  Mississippi  at  Burlington  about  dark,  and  at 
eight  P.  M.  proceeded  eastward  through  Illinois,  passing  Galesburgh 
and  Peoria,  and  continuing  through  the  night,  we  came  to  Logans- 
port,  about  nine  A.  M.,  on  the  twenty-eighth,  and  I  was  enabled  to 
reach  home  at  about  three  v.  m.  and  embrace  my  dear  wife  and  family, 
truly  glad  and  thankful  for  the  protecting  care  and  kindness  of  the 
high  and  Holy  One,  from  whom  everything  good  comes,  during  this 
long  and  interesting  journey. 

It  has  been  cheerful  to  observe  in  this  long  journey,  first  from 
home  to  Chicago,  then  from  thence  across  the  State  of  Illinois  to 
Rock  Island,  and  upon  the  whole  route  through  Iowa,  and  then 
upon  the  route  homeward,  through  Illinois  on  another  line,  that  the 
crops  have  been  everywhere  good.  The  settlers  feel,  of  course, 
encouragement,  and  many  of  them  do,  no  doubt,  feel  grateful  ;  for 
in  Iowa,  especially,  for  two  years  before  this,  there  was  a  pretty 
general  failure  of  crops ;  and  this  year,  further  to  the  south,  the 
crops  are  cut  short  by  drought.  It  is  God  who  causes  the  sun  to 
shine  and  the  rain  to  descend,  and  it  appears  wholly  appropriate 
to  bear  reverently  in  remembrance  that  it  is  to  Him  we  owe  every 
thing  which  sustains  our  life,  contributes  to  our  comfort  or  rational 
joy,  and  promotes  our  real  happiness. 

Eighth-month  29. — Fourth-day. — The  marriage  of  Sarah  Sylvania 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


215 


Rambo  with  Benjamin  F.  Maxwell  took  place  to-day,  and  was  ac- 
complished in  an  exemplary  and  satisfactory  manner.  We  may 
hope  that  a  blessing  is  in  store  for  these  young  people,  who  are  just 
setting  out  to  themselves  on  the  great  journey  of  life. 

Our  friend,  Eli  Jessup,  of  Iowa,  now  in  these  parts  on  a  religious 
visit,  attended  the  meeting  to-day  and  had  some  acceptable  service 
near  the  close. 

31st. — We  went  to  our  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Eld- 
ers as  usual,  and  had  satisfactory  meetings  to-day,  and  one,  also, 
on  Seventh-day,  Ninth-month  1,  at  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Our 
friends  Eli  Jessup,  Nereus  Mendenhall  and  Charles  Starbuck,  of 
North  Carolina,  being  present. 

Ninth-month  2. — First-day. — One  hundred  and  four  students  at 
First-day  Scriptural  school  this  morning.  An  interesting  meeting  in 
the  evening  of  the  Association  of  Teachers  and  others  engaged  in 
the  school. 

7-9th. — We  attended  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meeting — a  pleasant 
meeting.  About  six  hundred  friends  present  on  Seventh-day.  Eli 
Jessup  and  Francis  W.  Thomas  in  attendance.  We  had  a  pleasant 
visit  with  our  relatives.  Funeral  of  Mary  B.  GrifSn,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Griffin,  on  First-day  afternoon. 

Ninth-month  11. — Death  of  Jemima  Burson,  at  nine  A.  m. 

Phebe  Ann  Sands  and  companions  came  in  the  evening,  on  their 
way  to  Western  Yearly  Meeting. 

12th. — Death  of  Micajah  Morgan.  Phebe  Ann  Sands  attended 
our  meeting. 

13th. — John  J.  Thomas  of  Union  Springs,  New  York,  called. 

Lindley  M.  Iloag  and  Sybil  Jones  called. 

Death  of  John  Maxwell,  at  eight  P.  m. 

16th. — Western  Yearly  Meeting  is  held  to-day. 

18th. — Visited  Gulielma  Henly — she  is  so  much  paralyzed  as  to 
be  unable  to  converse. 

22nd. — We  hear  a  very  good  account  of  the  Western  Yearly 
Meeting.  John  J.  Thomas  and  Mary  his  wife,  came  in  and  staid 
over  the  First-day  with  us — pleasantly. 

26th. — Our  son,  William  H.  Coffin,  arrived  from  Kansas  this 
morning.    We  were  extremely  glad  to  see  him. 

Monthly  Meeting  to-day. 


216 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


20th. — Our  daughter,  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  arrived.  It  was  joyful 
to  meet  her. 

30th. — First-day. — Joseph  Brown,  of  Canada,  was  at  meeting. 

Tt  ntli-month  1. — Our  children  Eli,  Mary  and  Hannah  Amelia, 
came  to-day.    We  are  made  very  happy  by  their  coming. 

2d. —  Tkird-day. — The  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
was  held  at  ten  A.  m.,  and  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  P.  m.  ; 
both  good  meetings.. 

3d. — Fourth-day. — Yearly  Meeting  for  Worship,  at  eleven  A.  m.; 
house  nearly  filled,  say  about  one  thousand  eight  hundred  present. 
A  very  good  meeting,  being  largely  blessed  with  the  visitation  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.  Lively  ministry  by  Rebecca  Updegrafi"  and  Da- 
vid H.  Bennett. 

The  Indian  Committee  at  three  p.  m.  The  concern  does  not  ap- 
pear to  have  all  that  prosperity  and  success  which  could  be  desired. 

The  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee  at  six  p.  m. — an  inter- 
esting meeting;  some  eight  or  nine  hundred  present. 

Tenth-month  4. — Fifth-day. — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  convened 
to-day,  at  eleven  A.  M.  In  the  morning  at  half  past  eight  o'clock, 
a  committee  convened,  who  had  been  appointed  by  our  last  Yearly 
Meeting  to  prepare  a  document  on  the  First-day  of  the  week.  The 
preparation  of  this  document  had  cost  much  thought  and  labor  du- 
ring the  year,  and  an  essay  being  now  produced  and  read,  was 
adopted  and  carried  forward,  and  on  being  read  afterward  in  the 
Yearly  Meeting,  it  received  the  approbation  and  unity  of  the  meet- 
ing and  was  directed  to  be  published. 

The  meeting  to-day  was  large,  probably  two  thousand  Friends  in 
attendance,  and  the  business  was  transacted,  and  put  in  course  for 
transaction,  in  a  satisfactory  manner.  The  African  Committee  met 
at  four  o'clock,  and  the  Education  Committee  at  six,  the  latter,  in 
particular,  turned  out  to  be  a  good  time. 

5th. — The  Yearly  Meeting,  to-day,  was  engaged  in  considering 
the  state  of  Society,  and  after  that,  other  interesting  business — a 
favored  and  satisfactory  sitting.  The  Indiana  Bible  Association  of 
Friends  held  its  Annual  Meeting,  at  six  p.  m.  More  than  one  thou- 
aandpersons,  probably,  were  there,  and  the  occasion  was  one  of  gen- 
eral interest. 

6th. — Another  session  of  the  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
was  held,  at  eight  A.  m.,  then  the  Yearly  Meeting,  at  ten  o'clock 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAU  COFFIN. 


217 


Another  satisfactory  day.  The  General  Committee  on  First-day 
Scriptural  Schools  was  held  at  four  p.  m.,  and  was  a  time  of  interest. 
Then  followed,  at  six  o'clock,  a  meeting  of  the  Young  People's  Lite- 
rary Association,  formed,  mainly,  by  the  students  and  others  con- 
nected with  Earlham  College. 

7th. — First-day. — The  day  was  rainy  and  unfavorable,  so  that  the 
attendance  was  not  so  multitudinous  as  at  some  previous  times. 
Two  large  solemn  meetings  were  held,  one  at  ten  A.  m.,  and  the 
other  at  three  p.  m.,  as  usual.  Then  at  seven  p.  m.,  a  Meeting  for 
Worship  was  held  by  and  for  the  youth,  at  their  proposal,  with  the 
approbation  of  the  Yearly  Meeting.  The  lower  floor  of  the  large 
meeting-house  was  closely  filled,  and  some  went  into  the  gallery 
besides ;  the  number  was,  probably,  not  less  than  two  thousand. 
It  was  a  remarkable  time  of  prayer  ;  prayer  aad  other  devotional 
exercises  continued,  with  very  little  intermission,  until  twelve  o'clock, 
or  five  hours.  The  meeting  was  very  solemn;  a  large  number  of- 
fered prayer  who  had  not  before  done  so  in  a  public  manner,  and 
a  confident  hope  is  entertained  that  many  were  stirred  up  to  a  more 
earnest  consideration  of  the  things  appertaining  to  everlasting  life. 
"  Bless  the  Lord,  0  my  soul  !  and  all  that  is  within  me,  bless  his 
holy  Name  1  "  was  the  overflowing  exercise  of  many  hearts.  The 
Lord  was  pleased  in  his  goodness  to  be  there,  and  this  memorable 
time  can  not  be  soon  forgotten. 

Tenth-month  9, 10. — Two  more  interesting  days  of  business  closed 
the  proceedings  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  friends  parted  in  much 
love  and  thankfulness.  Joseph  Brown,  of  Canada,  David  II.  Ben- 
nett, of  New  York,  Sybil  Jones,  of  Maine,  Bebeeca  Updegrafi",  of 
Ohio,  Fhebe  Ann  Sands  and  Beersheba  Ilerendeen,  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  and  Hannah  Tatum,  of  Indianapolis,  were  in  attendance 
with  certificates. 

Our  very  dear  children  all  left,  during  the  week,  for  their  respec- 
tive homes.  We  had  a  solemn  family  meeting  together  in  our  par- 
lor, on  the  evening  of  the  ninth — a  time  of  much  prayer. 

The  granting  of  the  request  of  our  friends  in  Iowa,  for  the  setting 
up  of  a  new  Yearly  Meeting  at,  or  near,  Oscaloosa,  in  that  State, 
was  perhaps  one  of  the  most  important  matters,  if  not  entirely  the 
most  so,  of  any  other  which  was  united  with  and  settled  by  our 
Yearly  Meeting  this  year,  so  far  as  the  judgment  of  that  meeting 

15 


218  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1860. 

could  settle  it.  It  is  to  be  opened  in  1864,  if  other  Yearly  Meetings 
concur. 

The  adoption,  with  apparent  unity,  of  the  document  on  the  Obser- 
Tance  of  the  First-day  of  the  week,  was  also  a  proceeding  of  import- 
ance, as  it  was  the  expression  of  the  Society  on  a  subject  which  has 
received  much  thought  and  exercise  of  mind,  in  various  parts,  for 
a  considerable  time,  and  because  the  issue  of  this  document  may  be 
looked  upon  as  settling  the  question  on  that  subject:  and  it  is  hoped 
it  may  have  a  salutary  influence  over  the  morals  and  practice  of 
many. 

Tenth-month  12. — White  frost  this  morning,  the  first  of  much 
effect.  William  H.  Ladd,  left  us  for  Cincinnati.  Caroline  goes  to- 
morrow. 

14th. — First-dmj. — Sybil  Jones  at  meeting.  Then  at  four  p.  m. 
she  had  an  appointed  youth's  meeting. 

The  First-day  Scriptural  school  was  resumed  this  morning. 

In  the  evening  many  young  persons  convened  at  Charles  F.  Cof- 
fin's. Sybil  Jones  present,  and  a  solemn  time  of  worship  and 
prayer  was  had. 

The  meeting  mentioned  in  the  above  extract  from  the 
journal,  was  continued  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  his  son 
as  a  weekly  evening  meeting,  to  which  frequent  allusion  is 
made  by  E.  C.  in  subsequent  parts  of  his  diary  as  "the  fam- 
ily meeting  at  C.  F.  C's."  Many  friends,  and  more  especi- 
ally those  in  the  younger  walks  of  life,  regularly  attended 
them. 

Tenth-month  17. — The  winter  session  of  Earlham  College  was 
opened. 

18th. — James  Owen  was  here.  Had  a  satisfactory  appointed 
meeting  for  the  youth  at  ten  o'clock.  ' 

19th. — To  Earlham  College,  a  visit  to  the  students. 

21st. — To  Scriptural  school  this  morning;  sixty  present. 

24th. — Monthly  Meeting.  A  minute  was  granted  my  wife,  to  at- 
tend  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  North  Carolina,  and  visit  a  few  meetings 
and  some  families  in  its  limits;  also  one  to  me  as  her  companion. 
Our  daughter  Miriam,  also,  goes  with  us.  I  also  go  as  a  deputation 
from  our  Yearly  Meeting  to  theirs,  to  examine  more  fully  into  the 
embarrassing  debt  of  their  boarding-school. 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


219 


We  left  home  on  the  twenty-fifth,  and  proceeded  by  the  way  of 
Dayton,  Columbus,  Wheeling,  and  on  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail- 
way to  the  Eelay  House,  and  thence  via  Washington,  Fredericks- 
burgh,  Richmond,  Petersburgh,  Weldon,  and  Raleigh  to  Greens- 
borough,  where  we  arrived  on  Seventh-day  evening,  the  twenty- 
seventh. 

28th. — First-cloy. — We  went  to  New  Garden,  to  meeting,  this 
morning  :  twenty-one  males,  thirteen  females  present. 

After  meeting,  to  the  boarding-school  to  dinner  ;  then,  in  the  even- 
ing, to  my  brother  Elisha  Coffin's. 

29th.- — We  visited  the  house  and  farm  where  we  first  settled  after 
marriage,  in  1820.  The  place  has  been  much  neglected,  and  now 
appears  in  a  very  unimproved  condition.  We  called  at  our  cousin 
Samuel  D.  Coffin's,  while  the  sale  of  his  personal  property  was  in 
progress.    Very  rainy. 

30th. — Visited  the  place  formerly  occupied  by  our  father,  Ben- 
ajah  Hiatt.  Then  to  David  Mace's,  and  had  a  religious  interview 
with  his  family,  he  being  quite  ill.  Then  to  Sarah  Hoskin's,  where 
we  dined.  Then  returned  to  the  main  road  and  went  nearly  to  the 
ancient,  but  now  deserted  village  of  Martinsville,  crossing  over  the 
ground  of  the  battle  of  Guilford,  which  occurred  in  1781.  Called 
at  Ellis  Hoskin's  on  our  return  to  my  brother's. 

31st. — Fourth-day.- — Attended  New  Garden  Monthly  Meeting, 
after  first  visiting  Phebe  Cook  and  her  family,  who  reside  at  the 
place  formerly  occupied  by  my  father,  and  where  I  was  brought 
■up  after  the  age  of  thirteen  to  twenty-one.  It  was  interesting  to  us 
to  see  the  old  places,  and  recall  the  scenes  of  our  youth  once  more. 

Neither  time  nor  circumstances  had  ever  dissolved  the 
attachments  that  E.  C.  had  for  the  place  of  his  birth ; 
with  niingled  sensations  of  pleasure  and  sadness,  he  once 
more  visited,  in  company  with  his  wife  and  daughter, 
M.  A.  R.,  the  scenes  of  his  youthful  days.  It  was  an  event 
of  solemn  and  melancholy  interest  to  them.  Nearly  forty 
years  had  elapsed  since  they  left  that  country,  and  they 
had  returned  but  once  during  that  time.  At  the  time  of 
their  removal,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  large  and  many 
valuable  ministers  belonged  to  it — now  it  was  very  sniall 


220 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


and  the  few  who  were  left  were  discouraged,  and  many  of 
them  were  anxious  to  leave.  The  homes  of  their  nativity — 
the  scenes  of  their  childhood  were  again  visited,  but  how 
changed  1  The  soil  had  become  impoverished,  and  the 
country,  generally,  from  being  pleasant  and  desirable,  had 
become  desolate  and  lonely. 

The  tender  emotions  of  the  heart  of  Elijah  Coffin  were 
easily  vibrated,  as  he  recalled  the  scenes  through  which  he 
had  passed  during  his  earlier  years  and  which  now  so  sadly 
bore  the  marks  of  time.  In  allusion  to  this  visit  a  friend 
writes : 

"  We  had  some  interesting  walks,  too,  around  the  meeting-house 
groued  where  his  youth  was  spent  and  his  first  labors  in  the  Church 
were  entered  upon;  on  one  of  these  occasions,  I  remarked,  that  he 
seemed  to  be  sent  back  at  an  eventful  day  to  resume  his  position,  as 
though  the  link  had  never  been  broken  ;  he  pressed  my  hand  with 
his  usual  affection,  while  tears  fell  silently  from  him." 

His  narrative  continues : 

The  Monthly  Meeting  was  small,  only  twenty  males  and  thirteen 
females,  young  and  old,  present;  very  few  of  whom  were  active 
members.  In  the  afternoon,  we  visited  our  aged  friend  Sarah  Stan- 
ley; Betsie  Porter  and  Millie  Wedows  being,  also,  present.  Then 
went  to  Stephen  Macy's  and  staid. 

Eleventh-month  1. — From  Stephen  Macy's  we  drove  up  to  Hope- 
well ;  passed  the  meeting-house,  which  has  been  sold  to  the  Method- 
ists ;  called  at  Albert  and  Betsie  Rayl's.  It  now  began  to  rain, 
rapidly:  after  a  short  stay,  went  to  Aletha  Kennedy's,  a  widow; 
then  to  Charles  Kellum's  and  his  two  daughters ;  then  to  Jesse 
Trueblood's  and  his  wife  Cyrene;  then  to  see  Joseph  Thornburg 
and  family,  Stephen  kindly  accompanying  us :  then  back  to  the 
school. 

2d. — Sixth-day. — We  went  to  Deep  River  to-day,  John  Russell 
kindly  taking  us.  Still  raining.  I  attended  a  Meeting  for  Suffer- 
ings. The  meeting  was  satisfactory  and  interesting.  I  presented 
the  minute  of  my  appointment  by  our  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  in  re- 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


221 


gard  to  the  debt  of  their  boarding-school,  which  was  read  and  the 
subject  was  sent  forward  for  the  attention  of  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
After  meeting,  -we  went  to  William  and  Penelope  Gardner's,  where 
we  had  a  pleasant  and  comfortable  time,  with  many  other  friends. 

3(1 — In  the  morning  I  walked  with  Miriam  to  Deep  River  meet- 
ing-house, to  see  it  and  the  graveyard,  and  their  school-house.  Then 
■at  eleven  A.  m.  attended  the  North  Carolina  Yearly  Meeting  of  Min- 
isters and  Elders,  at  Deep  River,  ab&ut  fo^rty-three  men  and  twenty- 
five  women  being  present;  a  good  meeting.  We  dined  at  W.  and 
P.  Gardner's,  at  Florence,  and  then  returned  to  the  boarding-school 
at  New  Garden  in  the  evening. 

4th. — Flni-day. — We  had  a  Scripture  reading  at  nine  o'clock  A. 
M.  at  the  school  by  such  Friends  as  chose  to  come  in. 

At  eleven  o'clock  A.  m.  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  Worship  of  North 
Carolina  convened,  having  about  six  to  seven  hundred  persons  in  at- 
tendance. Eli  Newlin,  Asenath  Clark  and  David  Hunt  were  en- 
gaged in  the  testimony ;  and  Eli  N.,  David  Hunt  and  Naomi  CofSn 
in  prayer.  A  Meeting  for  the  Youth,  and  others,  was  appointed 
at  half  past  three  o'clock  by  Sybil  Jones  and  Samuel  Lloyd.  Both 
meetings  to-day  may  be  considered  satisfactory  meetings. 

5th.- — The  Yearly  Meeting  for  Discipline  convened  at  eleven 
o'clock,  and  business  was  opened.  The  following  Friends  from 
abroad  were  in  attendance:  David  Hunt,  Eli  Newlin,  Samuel  Lloyd, 
William  G.  Johnson,  Asenath  Clark,  Sybil  Jones,  Eliza  P.  Gurney, 
Eliza  Barclay,  from  England,  and  Naomi  Coffin.  The  usual  pre- 
limary  business  was  attended  to  to-day,  and  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  unite  with  and  ai-d  the  deputation  in  their  investigations 
about  the  debt  of  the  boarding  school.  A  session  of  the  Meeting 
for  Suiferings  was  held  in  the  evening. 

Gth. — This  is  the  day  of  the  Presidential  election.  When  the 
Yearly  Meeting  convened,  it  was  unitedly  agreed  that  in  considera- 
tion bf  the  great  blessings  of  enlightened  civilization  and  good 
government,  under  which  it  has  been  our  happy  privilege  to  live, 
the  obligations  of  gratitude  which  we  owe  to  the  great  Ruler  of 
Nations  on  that  account,  and  the  great  struggle  now  in  progress  in 
our  beloved  country,  we  should  unite  in  solemn  worship  and  prayer 
to  the  Almighty  that  he  might  continue  his  blessings  and  overrule, 
according  to  his  will,  all  affairs  for  the  good  and  happiness  of  the 
nation.    The  men  and  women  Friends  accordingly  spent  about  an 


222 


[life  of  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


hour  and  a  half  together  in  solemn  worship  and  prayer.  It  was 
indeed  a  very  solemn  time.  Then  proceeded  with  business  as  usual. 
The  state  of  Society  was  taken  up  and  considered  at  some  length ; 
the  proposition  for  a  new  Yearly  Meeting  in  Iowa  was  considered, 
and  united  with;  and  other  business  transacted.  A  time  of  favor, 
and  a  good  meeting. 

By  the  reports  on  spiritous  liquors,  which  were  read  to-day,  it 
appeared  that  there  were  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty- 
one  members,  over  eighteen  years  of  age,  who  are  clear  of  the  use 
of  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  drink;  eighty-one  who  use  it;  and 
seventy-one  not  inquired  of,  making  in  all  one  thousand  five  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  members  over  eighteen  years  of  age.  If  we  add 
to  this  five  hundred  and  twenty-four  children  under  eighteen,  re- 
ported by  the  Education  Committee,  we  have  the  number  of  two 
thousand  and  thirty-seven  as  the  total  number  of  members  of  North 
Carolina  Yearly  Meeting.  But  several  of  the  Quarterlies  were  de- 
ficient in  reporting  the  number  of  children  ;  we  must,  therefore, 
add  probably  from  two  hundred  to  five  hundred  to  make  up  this 
deficiency,  so  that  the  real  total  is  probably  between  two  thousand 
three  hundred  and  two  thousand  four  huudred. 

7th. — Fourth-day. — To  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.    Forty  men  and  twenty  women  present. 

Yearly  Meeting  for  Worship  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  m.  About  five 
hundred  present.  Then  Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  o'clock  P. 
M.  At  six  o'clock  p.  M.  we  had  an  interesting  Bible  Meeting  at  the 
school,  at  the  close  of  which  an  association  was  organized. 

8th. — We  had  an  interview  with  the  trustees  of  the  broading- 
school  at  eight  o'clock  A.  m.  Then  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  at 
eleven  o'clock  A.  m.  The  clerk  read  an  appropriate  minute  on  the 
state  of  Society,  which  he  had  prepared,  and  then  various  other 
matters  of  business  were  transacted,  among  which  was  the  receiv- 
ing of  a  report  from  the  boarding-school  trustees,  giving  a  state- 
ment of  the  past  year,  and  a  statement  of  the  agent  for  settling  the 
large  debt,  showing  its  present  condition  and  amount. 

Francis  T.  King  and  I  were  engaged  about  compiling  a  report 
to  be  made  to  our  own  meetings  at  home. 

In  the  evening  we  had  a  meeting  at  the  school  on  the  subject  of 
First-day  schools  and  Scriptufal  instruction. 

9th. — We  met  the  trustees  again  this  morningj  and  read  to  them 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


223 


an  essay  of  our  report,  so  that  it  might  receive  corrections  or  emen- 
dations if  necessary.  At  eleven  o'clock  a.  m.  the  Yearly  Meeting 
again  convened,  and  at  a  suitable  time  our  report  was  read  therein. 
A  minute  was  made  authorizing  the  trustees  to  sell  out  the  property 
and  close  up  the  concern  as  soon  as  they  prudently  could.  A  com- 
mittee was  also  appointed  at  this  session  to  (jonsider  the  subject  of 
a  change  of  place  for  holding  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  report  next 
year.  At  half  past  three  o'clock  p.  m.  the  Yearly  Meeting  came  to 
a  solemn  conclusion,  and  many  Friends  parted  and  went  homeward. 
The  Yearly  Meeting  had  evidently  been  a  favored  time,  in  which 
the  hearts  of  Friends  had  been  largely  visited  with  our  Heavenly 
Father's  love,  and  were  tendered  and  contrited  together  therein. 
After  the  close  of  the  meeting,  we  took  leave  of  many,  and  went 
back  to  the  school  in  the  midst  of  a  pouring  rain.  Many  Friends 
also  returned  to  the  school,  and  were  leaving  in  the  evening,  and 
night  and  next  morning. 

10th. — Seventh-day. — AYe  resumed  visiting  families  at  New  Gar- 
den again.  Stephen  Macy  went  with  us  to  see  our  cousin  Achsah 
Hubbard;  then  to  Zephaniah  Spruell's,  his  wife  being  John  Rus- 
sell's sister  ;  then  John  Russell  went  with  us  afterward  to  Gravenor 
Stanley's,  George  Swain's,  Paul  Swain's  and  Thomas  Edwards' ; 
then  to  John  Russell's — where  we  staid. 

11th. — We  called  this  morning  to  see  Yancey  and  Caroline  Ed- 
wards, not  long  since  married;  then  to  our  cousin  Nathan  Cofiin's  ; 
then  to  Swain's,  whose  wife  Penlah  is  a  member  of  our  Soci- 
ety; then  called  to  see  Almeda  Harvey,  a  widow  with  four  children, 
living  in  the  brick  school-house  at  the  meeting-house,  where  I 
taught  school  for  a  time  in  my  early  life  ;  then  to  meeting  at  New 
Garden.  Eliza  P.  Gurney,  Eliza  Barclay,  John  M.  Whitall,  Dr. 
Theophilus  E.  Beesley  and  Hannah  Beesley  having  remained  at 
Greensboro'  since  the  close  of  the  Yearly  Meeting,  attended  at  New 
Garden  to-day. 

After  meeting  we  took  leave  of  our  aforenamed  friends,  who 
were  expecting  to  proceed  homeward  on  to-morrow  morning,  and 
went  to  Timothy  Russell's  to  dinner,  where  we  had  a  sweet  and 
refreshing  time  of  spiritual  communion  together,  Alfred  Edwards' 
and  his  wife  having  also  come  in.  Then  returned  to  our  brother 
Elisha  Coffin's,  and  staid. 

12th. — In  the  morning  we  called  on  John  Ballinger  and  family, 


224  LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1860. 

and  then  went  to  the  school,  and  prepared  to  leave  for  Dover,  and  so 
on,  westward.  The  winter  session  of  the  school  was  to  open  to- 
day; ten  boys  and  twelve  girls  were  already  come  in.  About  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.  we  took  leave,  in  care  of  Jonathan  Ballinger  who  ■went 
with  us  to  Reuben  Starbuck's  at  Dover.  Proceeded  by  the  way  of 
Friendship  to  Isaac  Stanley's,  where  we  dined,  and  had  a  satisfac- 
tory religious  interview  with  the  family.  We  then  visited  Achsah 
Pegg,  a  widow,  formerly  Stanley,  with  whom  we  were  acquainted 
in  early  life.  Then  we  went  forward  to  Reuben  and  Rachel  Star- 
buck's — where  we  were  kindly  taken  in,  and  Jonathan  Ballinger 
returned  home. 

13th. — We  were  kindly  accompanied  and  assisted  by  our  friend 
Reuben  Starbuck  in  visiting  several  families.  Went  first  to  see 
three  elderly  women  Friends,  Sarah  Jessup,  Celia  Perkins  and  Ra- 
chel Buckingham,  who  live  together,  sisters  ;  then  to  Richard  Stan- 
ley's, whose  wife  was  confined  with  illness;  then  to  Lydia  Stanley's, 
his  widow  mother  and  her  daughter  Rhoda ;  then  to  Charles  Pigion's ; 
and  then  to  a  Meeting  for  Worship  at  Dover,  appointed  by  William 
G.  Johnson  and  Samuel  Lloyd,  who  were  pretty  extensively  en- 
gaged in  testimony ;  the  meeting  was  not  large,  probably  one  hun- 
dred present.  After  meeting  we  went  to  George  Bowman's,  where 
we  dined;  then  to  Clarkson  Starbuck's;  and  then  back  to  Reuben 
Starbuck's,  and  staid.  His  son  Lewis  Starbuck  came  in  to  pass 
the  evening  with  us. 

14th. — Believing  it  proper  to  endeavor  to  reach  the  Lost  Creek 
Quarterly  Meeting,  to  be  held  at  Newhope  on  the  17th,  we  left 
Reuben  Starbuck's  early,  in  his  company  for  Salem,  making  a  call 
in  the  settlement  of  Muddy  Creek,  as  formerly  called,  to  see  a  widow 
Fisher  and  two  daughters,  we  passed  Kernersville  and  Waughtown, 
and  arrived  at  Salem  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock,  and  stopped  at  a 
tavern. 

After  dinner  I  called  on  the  Moravian  minister,' Holland,  who 
received  me  politely,  and  entered  into  pleasant  conversation,  in  which 
he  told  me  he  had  been  some  six  years  a  missionary  to  Jamaica. 
Our  friend  Reuben  Starbuck  called  and  bade  us  farewell,  and  re- 
turned home.  His  kindness  and  love  toward  us  have  indeed  been 
great.  I  was  introduced  by  our  friend  Holland  to  Schwinitz,  the 
superintendent  of  the  female  academy,  who  kindly  and  politely 
conducted  us  through  the  large  institution.    Afterward  Holland 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIW. 


225 


walked  with  us  to  the  cenietry,  which  I  had  considered  in  past 
years  to  be  a  model  burying-place,  and  we  found  it  yet  in  good  or- 
der, but  its  neatness  not  quite  equal,  from  what  it  seems  to  be  from 
recollection,  to  what  it  was  forty  years  ago. 

Salem,  and  the  villages  near,  were  settled  originally,  I  believe, 
by  Moravian  German  emigrants,  who  purchased  one  hundred  thou- 
sand acres  of  land  in  that  locality  for  their  settlement.  Since  my 
recollection  the  German  language  was  employed  in  the  public  wor- 
ship, and  mostly  by  the  citizens  in  their  intercourse  with  each  other. 
Now  the  place  appears  to  be  Americanized;  we  hear  very  little 
German  in  the  ordinary  conversation,  and  the  worship  is  conducted 
in  English. 

A  new  village  is  laid  off  adjoining  Salem,  called  Winston,  for  a 
county  seat,  and  the  court-house  of  Forsyth  county  is  located 
therein.  Miriam  and  I  walked  out  as  far  as  this  village. 
*  Salem,  we  are  told,  contains  about  one  thousand  three  hundred 
inhabitants ;  it  is  yet  a  pretty  place,  although  not  so  neat  as  form- 
erly, and  the  view  from  the  roof  of  the  academy  is  uneven  but 
beautiful. 

Miriam  went  with  me  to  a  Bible  lecture,  delivered  by  the  minis- 
ter in  their  meeting-house  at  seven  o'clock  p.  m.,  which  we  found 
interesting. 

15th. — We  left  Salem  for  Wytheville  at  forty-five  minutes  past 
six  o'clock  in  the  stage  coach.  Passed  Old  Town  in  five  miles ; 
and  Bethany  in  nine  ;  formerly  German  villages.  Then  onward 
crossing  branches  of  the  Muddy  Creek,  the  Tom's  Creek,  Ararat, 
and  other  branches  of  the  Yadkin,  we  passed  near  the  remarkable 
knob  called  the  Pilot  Mountain^  with  its  huge  rock,  said  to  be  three 
hundred  feet  high,  on  top,  and  constituting,  certainly,  one  of  the 
most  interesting  geological  curiosities  of  the  country.  Making  no 
stop,  except  for  refreshment,  we  came  to  Mount  Airy,  forty-three 
miles,  awhile  after  dark. 

Next  morning,  the  16th,  we  left  Mount  Airy  at  half  past  three 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  had  a  dark  ride  several  miles  before  day-light. 

It  was  ten  miles  to  the  Blue  Ridge,  at  the  Fancy  Gap,  where 
we  were  to  ascend  the  mountain,  and  before  we  commenced  the  as- 
cent, the  sun  rose  beautifully.  The  road  is  graded,  and  the  ascent 
was  very  gradual  for  five  miles.  The  mountain  scenery  was,  in- 
deed, very  interesting.    We  were  in  the  valley  of  a  beautiful  moun- 


226  LIFE  OF    ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1860. 

tain  stream,  which  poured  over  its  many  falls,  and  we  passed  a  mill 
on  it  at  some  distance  before  reaching  the  highest  elevation,  then 
followed  the  stream  up  to  its  source,  which  appeared  to  be  at  the 
summit.  Here  we  came  to  a  tavern,  and  stopped  for  breakfast. 
Then  proceeded,  and  in  a  very  short  distance,  perhaps  less  than  a 
mile,  came  to  a  spring,  from  which  the  water  flowed  the  other  way, 
going  to  the  New  River  instead  of  the  Yadkin — to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  instead  of  the  Atlantic — and  so  on  to  Hillsville,  county 
seat  of  Carrol  county,  Virginia,  for  we  had  crossed  the  line  between 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia  soon  after  leaving  Mount  Airy.  Hills- 
ville is  nine  miles  from  our  breakfast  place  on  the  summit — and 
here  we  had  a  change  of  horses.  Then  went  forward  some  thirteen 
miles  to  New  River,  descending  the  mountains  in  our  course,  and 
crossing  the  river  at  the  ferry,  proceeded  onward  fifteen  miles  fur- 
ther to  Wytheville,  where  we  arrived  about  eight  o'clock  P.  M., 
very  tired,  having  traveled  fifty-two  miles  to-day  over  the  moun- 
tains. 

We  took  supper  and  rested  until  eleven  o'clock  p.  m.,  and  then 
prepared  to  go  into  the  cars  by  railway,  which  came  awhile  after 
midnight,  and  we  proceeded  by  Abington  and  Bristol  to  Fullen's 
Station  in  Greene  county,  Tennessee,  where  we  left  the  cars  soon 
after  daylight  on  the  17th:  and  after  obtaining  some  refreshments, 
we  went  forward  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders 
at  Newhope.  The  meeting  was  very  small,  there  being  only  five 
men  and  one  woman  present;  our  friend  Eli  Newlin  being  also  in 
attendance. 

The  Lost  Creek  Quarterly  Meeting  convened  at  eleven  o'clock  A. 
M.,  having  about  thirty-five  of  each  sex,  old  and  young,  in  attend- 
ance. We  had  a  good  meeting,  and  then  business  was  transacted 
pleasantly.  They  are  occupying  a  new  meeting  house,  fifty  by 
twenty,  which  cost  about  $800,  and  was  built  out  of  the  proceeds 
of  an  estate  left  by  Isaac  Hammer,  deceased,  a  German  by  descent, 
and  an  approved  Minister  among  Friends,  who  resided  in  these 
parts.  We  went  to  Daniel  Reals',  and  staid.  He  and  his  wife  Ann 
have  a  large  and  interesting  family,  part  of  whom  are  married  and 
settled. 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


227 


CHAPTER  X. 

Visit  to  North  Carolina,  Continued. — Mammoth  Cave. — Secession  qv  South 
Carolina. — Capture  op  Fort  Sumpter. — Visit  to  Kansas. — Shawnee  Mis- 
sion.— Close  of  Journal.— Memoranda. — Visit  to  the  Ska  Shore. — Declin- 
ing Health. — Indiana  Yearly  Meeting. — Scripture  School  Conference  at 
Cincinnati. — Conclusion. 

Eleventh-month. — To-day  I  am  sixty-two  years  old.  O  God!  give 
me  a  heart  more  truly  after  thee ;  increase  my  faith  and  trust ;  take  not 
thy  Holy  Spirit  from  me ;  pardon  all  my  sins  for  Jesus'  sake ;  pour  out 
thy  Spirit  upon  my  soul  plentifully,  according  to  thy  will,  to  pro- 
mote holiness,  and  for  my  sanctification ;  0  fit  me  more  and  more  for 
heaven,  and  the  blessed  realities  of  thy  people  in  glory;  and  when 
it  shall  be  thy  will  that  I  shall  depart,  grant  me  admittance,  in  thy 
kindness  and  mercy,  into  thy  kingdom  above.  Much  more  would 
I  say,  but  thou  knowest  what  I  have  need  of,  and  what  I  desire, 
before  I  ask  thee :  bless  thy  people  and  thy  church  everywhere. 
Amen. 

It  is  easier  to  write  a  prayer  here,  than  it  was  to  deliver  one  vo- 
cally in  the  evening,  in  a  solemn  sitting  in  the  family,  when  I  felt 
much  as  if  I  ought  to,  but  had  not  sufficient  faith  and  assurance, 
and  yet  did  not  feel  well  satisfied  afterward  with  having  omitted  the 
effort.  I  felt  a  fear  that  leanness  of  soul  might  follow  as  a  just 
consequence,  and  that  the  spirit  of  prayer  might  be  taken  from  me, 
on  such  occasions  in  future.  I  must  rely  on  the  kindness  and 
mercy  of  God  to  overlook  this  omission,  if  it  truly  was  one,  in  his 
sight;  and  implore  that  the  fear  of  man  may  be  more  and  more 
taken  from  me,  and  a  clear  assurance  of  duty  given  to  me. 

18th. — First-day. — I  walked  with  John  Hackney  to  Jacob  Beals' 
— elderly  Friends.  Jacob  is  Daniel's  father.  Then  we  went  to 
meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. — about  three  hundred  persons  pre- 
sent. Eli  Newlin  was  engaged  in  testimony,  and  the  meeting  was 
in  good  degree  satisfactory. 


228 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


After  a  recess  we  held  a  Eilile  Meeting  to  consider  the  supply 
and  distribution  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  Scriptural  instruction. 
About  two  hundred  remained  to  attend,  and  the  occasion  appeared 
to  be  one  of  interest.  After  making  some  remarks  on  the  above  sub- 
jects, I  was  requested  to  state  my  method,  as  superintendent,  for  con- 
ducting a  First-day  Scriptural  school,  which  I  did,  to  apparent 
satisfaction.  We  went  to  Joseph  Beals'  and  staid,  and  in  the  eve- 
ning had  a  favored  religious  interview  with  this  large  family. 

19tlr. — Visited  Abner  Beals  and  family;  then  John  Beals  and 
family  ;  both  of  which  are  large  and  interesting  families  ;  then  to 
Newhope  Monthly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. — thirty-on« 
men  and  boys,  and  about  as  many  females  present. 

After  meeting  we  went  to  Dr.  William  Ellis'  to  dinner,  and  had 
a  religious  sitting  with  liim  and  his  fiimily,  and  some  others  who 
were  there.  There  is  a  remarkably  fine  large  spring  here,  which 
issues  among  rocks  equally  remarkable.  These  rocks  are  of  a  fine 
quality  of  blue  unstratificd  limestone,  great  quantiti-es  of  which, 
with  variations  of  color  and  fineness,  appear  plentiful  in  this  coun- 
try. Then  visited  Abner  Kllis  and  f;imily,  another  brother  being 
also  present.  We  found  these  last  two  to  be  interesting  families 
also,  and  our  sympathies  were  much  drawn  out  toward  them. 
Hence  we  went  to  Hannah  Marshall's,  a  widow,  and  her  daughter; 
near  to  whom  resides  Eli  her  son,  and  his  wife,  and  their  family. 
Here  we  had  a  sympathetic  interview,  and  staid.  Daniel  Beals 
and  wife  staying  with  us.  Daniel  Beals  and  Eli  most  kindly  took 
us  to  Fullen's  station  next  morning,  the  20th,  before  daylight;  and 
about  seven  o'clock  A.  M.  the  train  of"  cars  passed,  in  which  W€ 
went  on  our  way  to  New  Market,  in  Jefferson  county.  Passing 
Oreenville,  we  came  to  New  Market  at  fifteen  minut«s  past  ten ; 
and  being  kindly  met  by  Branson  Mills  we  w«nt  with  him,  passing 
Lost  Creek  meeting  house,  to  William  H.  Morgan's,  where  we  met 
with  a  cordial  welcome. 

After  dinner  we  visited  Nathan  Mills'  family,  Branson's  father 
— he  taking  us  to  visit  Isaac  Jones' — a  recommended  Minister, 
his  wife  and  her  aged  father,  and  an  adopted  daughter.  Then  re- 
turned to  William  H.  Morgan's,  and  staid.  We  had  a  good  time  to- 
gether in  the  evening  in  a  family  sitting,  some  others  being  present. 

21st. — Fourtli-ihnj . — To  Branson  Mills';  called  to  see  Rachel 
Wooton  ;  then  to  meeting  at  Lost  Creek,  at  eleven  o'clock  A.  M. — 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


229 


about  one  hundred  present — their  Preparative  Meeting,  wliich  was 
held  afterward,  thirty  in  attendance  alto<;other.  The  house  is  old 
in  appearance,  being  two  buildings  twenty-five  feet  square,  of  pine 
logs,  joined  into  one.  Here  we  visited  the  grave  of  a  young  man 
from  our  state,  who  came  out  to  this  country  on  account  of  his 
health  and  died  here,  Arthur  Butler  by  name. 

By  the  records  at  Newhope  it  appears  that  that  Monthly  Meet- 
ing was  set  up  and  opened  Second-month  28,  1795,  being  set  off 
from  Westfield  Monthly  Electing,  and  established  by  New  Garden 
Quarterly,  to  which  they  all  then  belonged.  Lost  Creek  Prepara- 
tive Meeting  was  set  up  Tenth-month  1795.  Newbury  Monthly 
Meeting  was  established,  Sixth-month  1808.  Lost  Creek  Quar- 
ierly  Meeting  had  been  established  before  this,  probably  in  1803. 

In  the  afternoon  we  visited  John  Ilaworth  and  family;  then 
David  Haworth  and  his  family ;  and  returned  to  William  H. 
Morgan's. 

22d. — "We  visited  William  Pierce's  family,  near  Lost  Creek  meet- 
ing house ;  then  were  taken  to  the  depot  at  New  Market ;  where 
we  took  the  railroad,  first  to  Knoxville,  twenty-five  miles ;  then  to 
Concord,  fifteen  miles,  where  we  were  kindly  met  by  several  Friends 
from  Friendsville.  David  Jones  took  us  from  thence  to  Friends- 
ville  to  the  house  of  our  friend  James  C.  Allen,  where  we  staid. 
Ephraim  Lee  and  David  Morgan  called  to  see  us  in  the  evening. 

23d. — S'ixtJi-daij. — Rain  having  come  on  it  was  very  wet,  muddy 
and  uncomfortable  weather.  We  visited  David  Jones  and  family, 
with  whom  his  aged  mother  resides,  who  is  very  infirm ;  also, 
David  Morgan  and  family  who  are  preparing  to  remove  to  Iowa. 
Then  went  to  Newbury  meeting  at  Friendsville,  which  had  been  ap- 
pointed at  the  desire  of  our  friend  Eli  Newlin  and  ourselves  jointly, 
we  having  been  engaged  in  labor  conjointly,  and  much  to  our  sat- 
isfaction ever  since  our  arrival  in  Tennessee.  About  one  hundred 
and  twenty  attended  the  meeting  to-day,  notwithstanding  the  in- 
clemency of  the  weather.  We  visited  the  grave  of  our  departed 
friend  William  Forster,  who  was  buried  here  seven  years  ago ; 
then  called  for  a  short  time  to  see  John  Hackney  and  family,  after 
which  we  returned  to  James  C.  Allen's,  the  weather  being  too  un- 
comfortable to  proceed. 

We  parted  this  evening  with  our  friend  Eli  Newlin,  whose  com- 
pany had  been  very  agreeable  and  encouraging  to  us,  his  prospect 


230 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1860. 


being  to  return  eastward  toward  North  Carolina,  and  ours,  to  pro- 
ceed westw'ard,  as  directly  Lome  as  we  could. 

24tli. — The  night  was  very  windy  and  cold,  but  we  were  up,  and 
on  our  way  back  to  Concord  by  daylight,  through  the  aid  of  our 
kind  friend  John  Hackney,  whose  son  went  with  us.  We  had  a 
cold  ride  eight  miles  to  the  ferry  over  the  Holston,  and  boisterous 
crossing ;  then  calling  at  the  house  on  the  hill  to  warm,  the  place 
where  the  sickness  and  decease  of  our  friend  William  Forster  oc- 
curred, we  afterward  went  forward  to  the  railway  station,  and  part- 
ing with  our  friends  who  had  aided  us,  we  were  off  soon  after  twelve 
o'clock,  noon,  toward  Chattanooga.  We  came  to  Chattanooga  about 
dark,  and  proceeded  pretty  soon  in  the  cars  for  Nashville.  We  had 
a  cold  uncomfortable  ride  through  the  night,  and  did  not  arrive  in 
Nashville  until  ten  and  a  half  o'clock  A.  M.,  having  breakfasted  at 
Murfreesboro'  as  w«  passed. 

25th. — After  our  arrival  we  rested  at  Nashville  the  remainder  of 
the  day.  In  the  afternoon  Miriam  and  I  walked  a  little  through 
the  city.  We  went  to  the  bridge  over  the  Cumberland,  and  passed 
the  court  house,  State  house,  and  tomb  of  President  Polk.  Nash- 
ville appears  to  be  a  fine  city,  in  a  beautiful  country. 

2Gth. — We  left  Nashville  at  fifteen  minutes  past  two  o'clock  a.  m., 
and  proceeded  by  railway  by  the  way  of  Bowlinggreen  and  other 
places  to  Cave  City,  in  the  direction  to  Louisville.  Here  the  train 
stopped  for  breakfast,  and  we  took  a  stage  coach  nine  miles  to  the 
Mammoth  Cave.  Wc  were  supplied  with  a  guide  at  the  hotel  near 
the  cave,  and  set  off  as  soon  as  we  could  to  the  entrance.  The  day 
was  exceedingly  rainy.  We  descended  a  ravine  for  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  or  so  (the  country  around  being  hilly,  almost  mountainous),  and 
came  to  the  opening  at  what  would  appear  several  hundred  feet  below 
the  common  level.  Our  guide  told  us  the  cave  was  sixty  feet  wide  and 
forty  feet  high  07i  an  average,  forTour  miles  from  the  entrance.  We 
went  forward  first  to  the  "Rotunda  "  or  "Vestibule,"  passing  the 
saltpeter  vats.  Then  still  in  the  main  cave  to  "  the  Cliff's  of  Ken- 
tucky;" then  "  the  Church  ;"  the  second  vats  ;  and  to  the  "  Gothic 
Galleries."  We  then  left  the  main  cave  and  took  a  branch  cave  to 
"  the  Gothic  A-venue;"  "  Post  Oak  Pillar  ;"  the  first  "stalactites  ;" 
"the  Register  Room;"  "Gothic  Chapel,"  and  then  to  the  main 
cave  again.  Next  we  went  to  the  "  Standing  Rock  ;"  "  the  Giant's 
Coffin;"  and  "  the  Ant  Eater."    Then  took  a  side  cave  to  "  the 


I860.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


231 


Deserted  Chamber;"  "Wooden  Bowl;"  "Sleeps  of  Time;" 
"Richardson's  Spring;  "Arched  Way;"  "Side-Saddle  Pit;" 
•'Minerva's  Dome;"  "Bottomless  Pit;"  "Winding  Labyrinth;" 
"Goren's  Dome then  to  the  main  cave,  and  to  the  "Acute  Angle 
Cottages  ;"  and  to  the  "Star  Chamber."  This  is  about  a  mile  and  a 
half  from  the  entrance.  We  then  went  a  few  hundred  yards  farther 
inward ;  then  returned  and  went  out.  My  wife  penetrated  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  entrance,  and  then  returned,  not  being  able  to 
walk  further.  Miriam  and  I  walked  in  the  whole,  as  the  guide  said, 
about  six  miles.  The  inside  of  the  cave  is  generally  dry,  and  the 
air  is  pleasant  and  bracing,  having  a  temperature,  steadily,  at  all 
seasons,  of  fifty-nine  degrees.  It  is  perfectly  dark,  and  profoundly 
still.  The  inside  of  the  cave  is  almost  uniformly  of  a  dirty  gray 
limestone,  and  so  dry  that  there  are  few  stalactites  or  stalagmites, 
except  toward  the  far  part,  some  seven  miles  inward,  which  we  did 
not  see.  The  manufacture  of  saltpeter  was  carried  on  in  1812, 
forty-eight  years  ago,  and  yet  the  wooden  pipes  for  conveying  the 
water  into  the  cave  from  the  mouth  are  part  or  all  still  lying  there, 
and  appear  as  if  they  might  still  be  much  longer  before  they  will 
decay  away.  The  guide  thought  we  were  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty  to  three  hundred  feet  below  the  common  level  of  the  surface 
of  the  earth  above.  We  were  inside  the  cave  some  three  to  four 
hours,  and  came  out  feeling  compensated  and  satisfied  with  having 
made  this  short  exploration  of  this,  certainly,  one  of  the  greatest 
natural  geological  curiosities  in  the  world.  The  rocks  inside  give 
evidence  in  places  of  much  wear  from  the  action  of  water.  It 
would  seem  probable  that  at  some  age,  much  water  may  have 
flowed  freely  through  it. 

When  we  came  out  it  was  still  raining  profusely ;  we  had  our 
dinner  at  the  hotel  ;  then,  after  some  rest,  returned  in  the  hack  to 
Cave  City,  took  the  next  train  of  cars  for  Louisville,  where  we  ar- 
rived about  midnight. 

Eleventh-month  27. — We  came  to  Cincinnati  to-day,  about  one 
P.  M.,  and  remained  with  our  dear  children,  until  next  morning. 
Miriam  went  home  this  evening. 

28th. — We  arrived  at  our  depot  just  in  time  for  our  Monthly 
Meeting,  to  which  we  made  return  of  our  minutes.  Our  friends 
received  us  with  much  affection  and  cordiality ;  sweet  indeed  it  was 
to  be  again  at  home,  and  in  gratitude  to  our  Father  in  heaven,  I  be  • 


232 


9 

LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1860. 


lieve  our  hearts  were  full  for  his  preservations,  kindness  and  mercy, 
with  which  we  had  been  so  largely  favored  in  this  long  and  inter- 
esting journey.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  the  unspeakable  gift  of  his 
Son;  thanks  for  the  gift  and  visitation  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  and 
thanks  for  his  goodness,  providential  care  and  mercy  to  us  his  fee- 
ble unworthy  creatures,  who  have,  through  His  grace  some  hunger- 
ing and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  and  some  ardent  desire  to  be 
inheritors  of  his  kingdom.  We  found  our  connections  well,  and 
were  truly  rejoiced  to  embrace  them  and  mingle  with  them  again. 

Thomas  Stanley,  who  resides  as  a  missionary  with  the  Kaw 
Indians,  in  Kansas,  was  present,  and  contributions  were  solicited 
and  made  at  his  instance,  for  the  relief  of  the  sufferers  in  Kansas, 
on  account  of  the  failure  of  their  crops  by  drought.  He  called 
to  see  us  at  home  in  the  evening. 

Eleventh-month  29. — This  day  is  appointed  by  the  Governor  of 
the  State  for  a  public  thanksgiving.    A  quiet  day. 

30th. — Elizabeth  Moffat  died  this  morning. 

To  our  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders,  African  Com- 
mittee and  Auxiliary  Bible  Meeting :  all  good  meetings.  Anna 
Hobbs,  Joseph  Brown,  of  Canada,  Smith  Gregg  and  his  companion 
Thomas  Haskett,  were  with  us  to-day. 

Ttoclfth-month  1. — Our  Education  Committee,  at  nine  A.  m.,  as 
usual ;  then  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  the  usual  hour — a  good  meet- 
ing. The  report  of  our  deputation  to  North  Carolina,  was  read  and 
heartily  responded  to  by  the  meeting.  The  meeting  concluded  to 
endeavor  to  raise  one  thousand  dollars,  for  the  aid  of  Friends  io  North 
Carolina. 

2d. — First-day. — Funeral  of  Elizabeth  Moffat,  before  meeting. 
First-day  school.  Then  to  meeting.  Smith  Gregg  and  Enos  G. 
Pray,  very  acceptably,  engaged  in  the  ministry,  and  Sarah  Smith 
and  Joseph  Brown,  in  prayer.  A  Family  Meeting  was  held  at 
Charles',  in  the  evening.    E.  G.  P.  and  J.  B.  present. 

7th  and  8th. — To  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meeting,  at  Walnut  Ridge. 
It  was  very  pleasant  to  receive  a  cordial  greeting  from  my  friends 
there.  The  report  of  the  deputation  was  well  received,  and  re- 
ceived a  hearty  response.  The  meeting  concluded  to  endeavor 
to  raise  eight  hundred  dollars  for  our  Carolina  friends.  Staid  at 
Bethuel  White's,  where  we  also  had  the  agreeable  company  of 


I860.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


233 


my  dear  sister  Mary,  Isaac  Parker,  and  brother  and  sister  John 
and  Rebecca  Iliatt.    Came  home  in  the  evening  of  Seventh-day. 

Gulielma  Henly  died  on  Seventh-day  morning,  the  eighth. 

9th. — First-day. — Scriptural  school  at  nine — sixty  preseat. 

Family  Meeting  at  Charles'  in  the  evening. 

Ticelfih-month  10. — Funeral  of  Gulidma  Uenly.,  at  eleven — and 
meeting. 

11th. — Doctor  Samuel  D.  Coffin,  late  from  North  Carolina,  called 
to  see  us.    Doctor  Samuel  Bettle  Hill  with  him. 

Hearing  that  our  dear  aged  mother  is  more  feeble  and  poorly,  we 
went  out  to  see  her.  She  is  so  failed  as  scarcely  to  know  who  we 
are,  and  appears  to  be  in  a  good  deal  of  discomfort — but  can  not 
tell,  intelligibly,  what  her  suffering  is. 

20th. — Rachel  Stanton  died,  at  five  o'clock  A.  m. 

Went  to  Earlham  College  and  attended  meeting  and  recitations. 

An  awful  excitement  prevails  in  South  Carolina  and,  generally, 
throughout  the  south,  in  political  affairs.  The  South  Carolina  State 
Convention  passed,  to-day,  at  half-past  one  P.  m.,  an  Ordinance  oi' 
Secession  from  the  Union.  It  is,  indeed,  a  most  gloomy  time.  We 
seem  to  be  on  the  verge  of  a  crisis,  such  an  one  as  we  have  never 
seen.  "  The  Lord  hath  his  way  in  the  whirlwind  and  in  the  storm," 
may  he  rule  in  his  mercy  for  the  good  of  the  nation,  and  the  saving 
of  the  people. 

23d.  First-day. — To  our  Scriptural  school — eighty  present.  To 
meeting  as  usual.    In  the  afternoon,  to  Bible  Class  at  Sevastopol. 

Family  Meeting  at  C.  F.  C's  in  the  evening. 

The  weather  has  been  wintry,  but  not  exceedingly  severe. 

Twelfth-month  26. — Monthly  Meeting.  An  unpleasant  discussion 
about  the  right  of  resignation,  J.  S.  H.  having  resigned  his  right 
of  membership.  Daniel  Williams,  Thomas  Bond  and  John  Knight 
attended  meeting. 

2'Jth. — George  Evans  and  Luke  Thomas,  came  in  to-day.  In  the 
evening  we  visited  Levi  Jessup's. 

30th. — To  Scriptural  school,  as  usual.  Seventy-three  present. 
The  Bible  classes,  among  the  elderly  people  and  adult  young  per- 
sons, increase  in  interest.  To  the  Family  Meeting  at  Charles',  at 
seven  P.  m. 

31st. — This  morning  is  the  coldest  of  the  season  since  our  return. 
The  mercury  was  two  degrees  below  zero. 
16 


234 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


First-month  1,  1861. — The  winter,  so  far,  has  hcen  rather  mode- 
rate, with  some  pretty  cold  weather.  We  hear  of  much  shortness 
of  provisions  and  clothing  in  Kansas^  and  probahility  of  suffering, 
on  account  of  the  great  drought  which  prevailed  in  that  territory 
last  year,  18G0.  Much  has  been  contributed  in  different  parts  for 
the  relief  of  the  people,  and  much  more  is  still  likely  to  be  want- 
ing. In  all  the  States  north  of  forty  degrees  of  latitude  and  east 
of  the  Missouri  River,  the  crops  of  wheat,  corn,  oats,  potatoes,  and 
vegetables  and  fruits  generally,  were  good,  and  in  many  places 
abundant.  But  Kansas,  part  of  southern  Missouri,  part  of  south- 
ern Kentucky,  and  west  Tennessee,  part  of  Alabama  and  Texas, 
suffered  much  from  want  of  rains,  and  their  crops  of  corn  and 
other  grains  and  vegetables  were  reported  to  be  very  short  in  many 
places. 

I  am  engaged  about  home,  and  much  of  my  time  in  compiling 
my  little  work  of  Scripture  Exercises  on  the  Old  Testament  to  be 
added  to  the  Book  of  Genesis  and  included  with  that,  in  one  volume. 

We  are  feeling  in  degree  the  feebleness,  tenderness  and  infirmi- 
ties of  advancing  age ;  but  my  dear  wife  and  myself  would  wish 
to  bear  in  our  hearts,  deep  and  living  gratitude  and  adoration  for 
the  many  favors  we  enjoy  from  the  Divine  Giver,  and  the  comforts 
and  privileges  with  which  we  are  surrounded.  For  these  may  we 
ever  bless  the  good  name  of  the  Lord  ! 

We  have  been  reading  together,  with  much  interest,  the  "  Me- 
moirs and  Diary  of  John  Yeardley,"  including  an  account,  also, 
of  his  amiable  and  gifted  wife.  Martha  Yeardley,  a  work  which  has 
not  failed  to  edify  us. 

3d. — I  attended  the  Scripture  recitation,  and  then  the  Meeting 
for  Worship  at  Earlham  College.  There  are  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty-seven  students  in  attendance,  who  appear  to  be  doing  well — 
and  the  institute  is  in  excellent  order  under  the  administration  of 
Walter  T.  Carpenter  and  Susan  M.,  his  wife,  as  superintendent  and 
matron.  The  teachers  for  this  session  are  William  B.  Morgan, 
A.  M.,  Dr.  Zaccheas  Test,  Matthew  Charles,  Martha  Ann  Macy, 
Anna  Miles,  Hannah  Coffin  ;  Clarkson  Davis,  governor,  and  Ann 
Eliza  Brown,  governess. 

5th. — The  mercury  is  two  degrees  below  zero  this  morning — one 
of  the  coldest  of  the  season.  I  am  now  at  "  the  captivity"  in  the 
Scripture  Exercises. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


235 


Gth. — First-dat/. — Seveaty-one  students  at  our  Scripture  School. 
The  number  has  been  larger  this  winter  than  in  any  preceding  one. 

8th. — The  State  of  Mississippi  secedes  from  the  Union. 

11th — Very  exciting  times  continue  in  the  south  about  secession. 
The  "Star  of  the  West"  is  driven  back  to  sea  from  Charleston.  . 

Alabama  and  Florida  both  secede. 

13th. — First-dajj. — Seventy-three  at  Scripture  School. 

David  Roberts  died  to-day. 

Family  meeting  at  C.  F.  C.'s  as  usual,  thirty-six  present. 

19th. — My  labors  on  the  Exercises  have  been  continued. '' 

Georgia  secedes  from  the  Union:  two  hundred  to  eighty-nine. 

27th. — First-dmj. — Seventy-three  present  at  Scripture  School. 

Francis  W.  Thomas  and  Daniel  Hill  attended  our  meeting  to-day.. 
A  glorious  triumph  of  the  gospel  in  the  ministry  of  F.  W.  T. 

A  good  family  meeting  at  C.  F.  C's  in  the  evening,  F.  W.  Tho- 
mas and  D.  Hill,  present. 

First-montli  28. — The  State  of  Louisiana  secedes  from  the  U.  S. 

Kansas  is  admitted  as  a  State,  by  act  of  Congress. 

Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee  meet  to-day. 

Also,  Executive  Committee  of  Indiana  Bible  Association  of 
Friends, — both  good  meetings. 

Second-month  1. — Texas  secedes — one  hundred  and  sixty-six  to 
seven. 

2d. — Our  wedding-day.    Always  thought  on  with  interest. 

7th. — To  Waynesville,  via  Cincinnati,  to  attend  the  Indian  Com- 
mittee. I  left  my  manuscript  of  "  Scripture  Exercises  on  the  Old 
Testament,"  in  addition  to  the  Book  of  Genesis,  with  E.  Morgan 
&  Sons,  to  be  stereotyped  and  published — our  Central  Book  and 
Tract  Committee  having  encouraged  its  publication  at  their  late 
meeting. 

Second-month  8th  and  9th. — Attended  the  Indian  Committee  and 
the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Went  to  Cincinnati,  on  the  evening  of  the 
ninth. 

10th. — Fint-dmj. — To  Friends  Scriptural  school,  at  half-past  nine 
A.  M. ;  then  to  meeting.  At  two  P.  M.  went  with  Mary  and  Hannah 
Amelia  to  the  Bethel  Sabbath  School,  for  poor  children.  About 
seven  hundred  were  present — the  scene  was  a  remarkable  one.  To 
Friends'  meeting  again  in  the  evening — a  quiet,  solemn  time. 


236 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


11th. — Attended  to  some  business  in  Cincinnati,  and  then  re- 
turned home. 

14th. — Our  daughter,  Caroline  E.  Ladd,  is  confined  with  a  son. 
He  is  called  James  Edward.  We  have  a  good  account  of  her  con- 
dition. 

20th. — p.  M.  A  message  of  anxiety  came  to  us  about  the  con- 
dition of  our  dear  Caroline. 

Miriam  and  I  left  at  half-past  nine  A.  m.  for  William  H.  Ladd's. 
The  day  was  a  sad  one  to  us,  but  we  were  somewhat  relieved  on 
arriving  at  Joseph  Hammonds' — who  told  us  that  Caroline  was 
better. 

Second-month  22. — We  found  our  dear  Caroline  improved,  which 
relieved  us  much. 

24th. — At  Cross  Creek  Meeting. 

25th. — I  visited  Matthew  and  Eliza  Watson. 
^  26th. — Caroline  is  now  so  much  improved,  that  our  daughter  Han- 
nah Amelia  (who  had  gone  before  us)  and  I,  left  for  our  respective 
homes.    We  came,  together,  to  Dayton,  and  then  parted,  on  the 
morning  of  the  twenty-seventh. 

27th. — David  H.  Bennett  and  Anna  Thornburgh  attended  our 
Monthly  Meeting  to-day. 

Third-month  1. — Sixth-day. — Our  friend,  Joseph  Doan  died,  sud- 
denly, to-day.  I  esteemed  him  a  valuable  Christian  man;  an  elder 
in  the  church,  and  a  minister  of  Christ ;  one  who  accepted  the 
message  and  truths  of  the  Gospel,  as  found  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
in  simplicity  of  faith,  and  in  the  love  of  them.  He  has  been  a 
useful  and  eiScient  laborer  in  the  discipline  of  the  church  for  many 
years  ;  many,  many  times  have  I  been  connected  with  him  in  varioua 
important  engagements.  He  desired,  I  believe,  to  make  his  life 
consistent  with  his  profession.  By  his  death  we  have  lost  a  valu- 
able member,  a  Christian  associate,  a  brother  beloved,  one  of  those 
whom  we  esteemed  as  standard  bearers,  who  had  given  in  their 
names  to  the  service  of  Christ.  May  it  please  the  Lord  to  raise  up 
other  instruments  to  take  the  place  of  those  who,  in  his  inscrutable 
will  and  wisdom  he  sees  fit  to  remove  to  their  heavenly  rest.  My 
mind  dwells  on  the  memory  of  this  brother  in  peace ;  I  have  much 
confidence  that  the  Lord  has  taken  him  into  his  kingdom  above. 

Our  select  Quarterly  Meeting  was  held  to-day,  which  was  a  good 
meeting.    We  had  also  a  good  time  at  our  Quarterly  Meeting,  on 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


237 


the  second,  David  H.  Bennett,  Anna  Tliornburg,  Francis  W.  Tho- 
mas and  Ruth  Haisley,  were  present,  and  had  acceptable  testi- 
mony for  Jesus. 

Our  meeting  united,  with  a  request  from  Kansas,  to  establish 
a  Quarterhj  Meeting  in  that  State,  and  forwarded  the  request  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting. 

First-day  3. — We  had  forty-three  at  our  Scriptural  school.  The 
morning  was  inclement. 

Third-month  4. — To-day  Abraham  Lincoln,  our  President  elect, 
takes  the  chair.    May  the  Divine  blessing  attend  his  administration. 

5th. — The  President's  inauguration  was  conducted  peaceably. 
His  cabinet  officers  are : 

Secretary  of  State,  William  H.  Seward,  New  York. 
„  Treasury,  Salmon  P.  Chase,  Ohio. 

„  War,  Simon  Cameron,  Pennsylvania. 

„  Navy,  Oideon  Welles,  Connecticut. 

„  Interior,  Caleb  B.  Smith,  Indiana. 

Postmaster  General,  Montgomery  Blair,  Maryland. 
Attorney  General,  Edward  Bates,  Missouri. 
6th. — The  winter  session  of  Earlham  College  closed  to-day.  It 
has  been  a  prosperous  session,  having  between  one  hundred  and 
fifty  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  students. 

A  meeting  at  C.  F.  C's.  to-night.    D.  H.  Bennett,  present. 
9th. — Decease  of  Rebecca  Grellet,  widow  of  Stephen  Grellet,  of 
Burlington,  New  Jersey,  aged  eighty-nine.    Her  father  was  Isaac 
Collins:  she  is  removed  in  a  good  old  age. 

Third-month  10. — First-day. — Snow  this  morning  ;  yet  eighty 
attended  our  Scriptural  school. 

Meeting  this  evening  at  C.  F.  C's. ;  forty  to  fifty,  present. 
17th. — Ninety -six  at  our  Scriptural  school  this  morning. 
This  is  the  day  appointed  for  release  of  twenty-two  millions  Rus- 
sian serfs  from  bondage.    An  event  aifecting  the  well-being  of  so 
large  a  number  of  the  human  family  can  not  fail  to  be  interesting, 
and  its  issues  will  be  looked  to  with  interest. 

I  have  been  engaged,  recently,  in  producing  some  essays  on 
"Friends  in  North  Carolina,"  for  Friends'  Review. 

21st. — The  weather  has  been  cold  for  the  season  several  days 
past.    Yesterday  and  to-day  there  is  snow. 
22d. — Robert  Williams  died  this  evening. 


238 


LIFE  or  ELIJAU  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


2ith.-—First-dai/.    Eighty-four  at  Scriptural  school. 

A  large  meeting  to-day.  David  H.  Bennett  and  Francis  W.  Tho- 
mas, both,  in  attendance.  A  wonderful  flow  and  triumph  of  the 
Gospel.    Glory  be  to  our  God. 

I  attended  the  Scriptural  school  of  the  people  of  color  this  p.  M. 

Good  evening  meeting,  as  usual,  at  C.  F.  C's. 

25th. — Funeral  of  Robert  Williams,  largely  attended.  David 
H.  Bennett,  Enos  G.  Pray,  and  Rachel  Buudy  present.  A  solemn 
time. 

26th. — A  storm,  with  hail  this  P.  M. 

Summer  session  at  Earlham  College  opens. 

29th. — The  committee  met  at  the  college  at  one  p.  m. 

Fourth-month -i. — Death  of  John  McLean,  aged  seventy-six,  at 
Cincinnati,  a  distinguished  citizen  and  judge  of  United  States  Su- 
preme Court. 

6th. — Seventh- day. — A  Meeting  at  Bethel  of  the  General  Com- 
mittee, on  First-day  schools,  of  our  Quarterly  meeting. 

7th. — One  hundred  and  seven  at  our  Scriptural  school  this  A.  M. 

About  fifty  at  meeting  this  evening  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's. 

We  are  reading  the  Life  of  Stephen  Grellet,  by  Benjamin  See- 
bohm,  in  which  we  are  deeply  interested. 

12th. — Samuel  Bettle,  senior,  of  Philadelphia,  died  to-day,  at  an 
advanced  age.  He  was,  for  several  years  clerk  of  Philadelphia 
Yearly  Meeting. 

My  Scripture  Exercises  on  the  Old  Testament,  to  be  added  to  the 
book  of  Genesis,  and  make  one  volume,  are  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
stereotypers. 

13th. — Report  is  received  of  the  bombardment  and  surrender  of 
Fort  Sumpter,  in  the  Charleston  harbor,  by  the  South  Carolinians, 
and  the  surrender  thereof  by  Major  Anderson,  United  States  com- 
mander. This  is  looked  upon  as  the  beginning  of  cival  war.  An 
exceeding  great  excitement  runs  through  the  whole  nation. 

The  President  calls  for  seventy-five  thousand  volunteers  to  de- 
fend Washington  and  aid  in  subduing  rebellion,  and  enforcing  the 
laws  of  the  United  States. 

This  call  was  responded  to  by  all  the  free  States ;  and  the  num- 
ber required  was  offered  in  about  a  week.  We  have  had  a  week  of 
cool,  wet  weather. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


239  * 


14tli.  —  One  liundred  and  thirty-three  attended  our  Scripture 
school  this  morning. 

About  forty  at  the  family  meeting  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's  this 
evening. 

15th. — Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting  opens  to-day.  We  hear 
that  our  friend  John  Hodgkin  has  arrived  from  England  on  a  re- 
ligious visit.  Susan  Howland  is  also  in  attendance  at  Philadel- 
phia. 

17th. — Volunteer  companies  are  rapidly  being  formed. 

18th.  —  The  Virginia  State  Convention  joins  the  Secessionists. 
Joseph  J.  G.  Russell  arrived  from  North  Carolina. 

19th. — Harper's  Ferry  armory  partly  destroyed  by  the  officers 
and  soldiers  in  command,  to  prevent  it  from  falling  into  the  hands 
of  the  Secessionists. 

20th. — A  mob  at  Baltimore,  and  several  killed,  on  the  occasion 
of  a  company  of  Massachusetts  volunteers  passing  through. 

21st. — First-day. — Last  evening  our  children,  Eli  and  Mary  C. 
Johnson  came  in  from  Cincinnati,  and  with  them  on  a  visit  to  the 
Sabbath  schools  here,  Bellamy  Storer,  Joseph  Emery,  George  F. 
Davis,  and  H.  H.  Brown.  They  attended  our  school  this  morning 
(one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  present),  and  made  some  suitable  re- 
marks. 

Two  of  them,  Joseph  Emery  and  George  F.  Davis,  attended  our 
Meeting  of  Worship. 

A  general  Union  Sabbath  School  Meeting  was  held  at  the  Starr 
Hall,  at  three  o'clock  p.  m.,  which  we  attended.  It  was  full  to 
overflowing. 

22d. — Family  Meeting  for  Worship  this  morning,  at  Charles  F. 
Coffin's.  The  four  visitors  from  Cincinnati  attended.  A  time  of 
prayer.    The  visitors  then  left  for  Cincinnati. 

Many  volunteers  now  collecting.    Great  excitement  generally. 

23d. — We  have  a  fine  day — the  weather  nearly  to  summer  warmth. 
Peach  trees  and  cherry  trees  in  bloom.  We  were  preparing  our 
garden;  and  planting  our  peas  and  beans. 

I  read  proof-sheets  of  my  "Scripture  Exercises." 

26th. — Pear  trees  in  bloom.    Heavy  rain  in  the  evening. 

28th. — First-day, — One  hundred  and  sixty-one  at  Scriptural 
school. 


240 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


1861.] 


In  the  afternoon  I  visited  the  German  Lutheran  Scriptural 
school.    About  sixty  in  attendance. 

29th. — The  regular  Meeting  of  our  Central  Book  and  Tract  Com- 
mittee was  held  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  of  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee of  the  Indiana  Bible  Association,  at  one  o'clock  p.  m.  Both  in- 
teresting meetings.  A  laborious  but  edifying  day.  Heavy  rain  at 
night. 

Elijah  Coffin  loved  the  beautiful  things  of  nature.  To 
him  not  only  did  "  the  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  firmament  show  his  handy  work,"  but  he  cherished 
every  flower,  and  the  most  common  garden  herb  which 
adorns  the  bosom  of  the  earth.  By  his  frequent  mention 
of  the  different  varieties  which  came  under  his  notice,  in 
the  remaining  entries  of  his  journal,  it  is  obvious  that  his 
admiration  for  them  increased  as  he  neared  the  close  of  his 
earthly  scenes. 

30th. — A  fine  morning.  The  apple-trees  and  lilacs  in  bloom. 
Went  to  Hiram  Hadley's  school,  at  Whitewater,  to  hear  a  class  in 
Scripture. 

Fifth-month  1. — I  am  writing  some  essays  for  Friends'  Review, 
on  "  Friends  in  North  Carolina." 

We  went  to  meeting  at  New  Garden  ;  and  afterward  visited  our 
dear  aged  friends  Francis  and  Lydia  Thomas.  Then  returned  in 
the  evening. 

2d  and  3d. — I  went  to  Cincinnati  for  an  astronomical  clock  for 
the  Observatory,  at  Barlham  College.  The  stereotype  of  my  "Scrip- 
ture Exercises  on  the  Old  Testament,"  is  nearly  completed. 

Extensive  military  preparations  are  now  in  progress  in  the  north- 
ern and  western  States. 

9th. — Most  of  our  garden  seeds  are  now  planted.  Eli  and  Mary 
C.  Johnson  came  this  afternoon. 

10th. — Decease  of  our  beloved  friend  Christina  Macy,  of  Nan- 
tucket. 

12th. — First-day. — Very  rainy.    One  hundred  and  twenty-one 
at  Scriptural  school.    Zeri  and  Miriam  Hough  were  with  us. 
19th. — One  hundred  and  forty  at  Scriptural  school  this  morning. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN, 


141 


Mary  Amelia,  only  daughter  of  C.  F.  and  R.  M.  Coflfin,  expired 
suddenly,  after  a  very  short  illness,  at  twenty  minutes  past  four 
o'clock  this  afternoon.  This  is,  indeed,  a  sharp  affliction.  We 
pray  that  they,  and  each  one  of  the  rest  of  us,  may  bear  it  man- 
fully, and  in  a  proper,  humble  spirit. 

20th. — The  North  Carolina  Convention  passes  a  secession  ordi- 
nance. 

21st. — Funeral  of  little  Mary  Amelia  this  morning  largely  at- 
tended.   A  solemn,  tendering  time. 

26th. — A  Bible  Meeting  was  held  this  afternoon. 

27th. — Visited  the  encampment  of  soldiers  at  the  Fair  ground, 
and  distributed  one  hundred  and  fifty  testaments,  and  twelve  bun- 
red  tracts. 

29th. — A  committee  on  a  proposed  alteration  of  our  Discipline, 
convened  this  afternoon  ;  also  one  on  the  arrangement  of  business 
of  our  Yearly  Meeting.  In  both,  the  conference  together  was 
agreeable. 

30th. — Fifth-day. — Our  Meeting  for  Sufferings  convened  at  ten 
o'clock  A.  M.;  then  again  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.;  then  adjourned 
until  eight  o'clock  a.  m.,  31st. — Some  important  business  was  trans- 
acted, and  at  the  last  sitting  an  Epistle  of  Caution  and  Counsel 
to  our  Subordinate  Meeting  and  members  was  adopted,  relating 
mainly  to  the  civil  war  now  in  progress,  but  embracing  advice 
against  the  circulation  of  mischievous  documents,  and  on  some 
other  subjects. 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  convened  at 
eleven  o'clock  a.  m.,  and  was  a  good  meeting. 

Sixth-month  1. — Seventh-day. — The  Quarterly  Meeting  was  large, 
and  favored  with  the  good  Presence.  We  had  with  us  our  friends 
George  Carter,  Thomas  Arnett,  Jacob  Hadley,  Phebe  Cook,  of 
Westfield,  Indiana,  Cornelius  Douglass,  and  others.  The  Epistle 
above  alluded  to  was  read  and  united  with. 

2d. — Our  Scriptural  school  was  largely  attended  this  morning 
(one  hundred  and  sixty-two  students,  and  many  visitors),  and  was 
followed  by  a  large  Meeting  for  Worship.  A  good  meeting;  also 
a  good  meeting  in  the  evening  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's. 

3d. — Visited  the  encampment  of  soldiers  at  the  Fairground  again, 
and  distributed  thirty-seven  Testaments,  and  about  twelve  hundred 
tracts. 


242 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


4tli. — My  strength  is  very  feeble,  but  I  am  preparing  to  set  off 
to  Kansas  in  company  with  Jonathan  Baldwin  to  visit  and  examine 
our  Shawnee  Indian  establishment,  by  appointment  of  our  last 
Yearly  Meeting. 

He  first  alludes  himself  to  the  declining  state  of  his 
health  in  the  above  note.  For  about  two  months  previous 
to  this  date,  disease  was  stealthily  planting  its  impress  upon 
the  subject  of  this  memoir.  It  began  in  the  stomach,  and 
at  first  had  the  appearance  of  a  return  of  dyspepsia,  with 
which  he  had  suffered  some  years  previous.  He  describes 
it  himself,  in  a  letter  of  subsequent  date,  as  a  "  weakness 
of  stomach,  and  torpor  of  digestion."  Simple  remedies  were 
used,  strict  attention  was  given  to  diet,  domestic  exercise 
was  taken  in  the  open  air,  and  horseback  riding,  were  all 
resorted  to,  which,  failing  to  relieve  him,  he  applied  to  a 
physician,  and  began  medical  treatment ;  however,  it  soon 
became  apparent  to  his  family  and  friends  that  he  was  los- 
ing in  strength  and  flesh.  During  this  feeble  state  of 
health,  in  addition  to  a  large  private  correspondence,  he 
continued  his  literary  labors,  preparing  a  new  volume  of 
"  Scripture  Exercises,"  some  essays  for  Friends'  Review, 
relative  to  Friends  in  North  Carolina,"  and  other  objects 
of  interest  in  connection  with  his  religious  Society.  These, 
undoubtedly,  tended  to  aggravate  the  disease,  and  it  pro- 
gressed slowly  and  surely.  It  was  hoped  that  the  proposed 
journey  to  Kansas  might  have  a  beneficial  effect  upon  his 
now  very  reduced  state  of  health. 

5th. — Set  off  for  Kansas  this  morning,  at  five  o'clock,  in  company 
with  Jonathan  Baldwin.  We  had  some  delay  in  connection  at 
Indianapolis,  and  again  at  Lafayette ;  but  proceeded  comfortably 
through  the  night,  and  arrived  at  Quincy  at  nine  o'clock  A.  m.,  the 
6th.  After  crossing  the  Mississippi,  we  took  the  road  to  the 
Palmyra  Junction,  and  there  came  upon  the  Hannibal  and  St. 
Joseph  Road,  on  which  we  traveled  during  the  afternoon  and 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


248 


evening,  in  a  direction  nearly  west,  through  a  very  fine  country; 
arrived  at  St.  Joseph  at  eleven  o'clock  p.  M.  We  continued  down 
the  Missouri  by  railway  to  latan,  where  we  took  a  boat  for  Leaven- 
worth City,  and  arrived  there  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  7th. 
Eested  at  a  hotel  until  after  dinner,  then  went  by  hack  to  William 
H.  CoflSn's. 

We  remained  at  W.  H.  C.'s  during  the  8th  and  9th,  visiting 
some  in  the  neighborhood  on  the  8th,  and  on  the  9th  attended  the 
Scripture  school,  then  meeting,  at  Kansas.  They  had  sixty-two  in 
attendance  at  the  school,  and  about  one  hundred  in  attendance  at 
the  Meeting  for  Worship,  which  followed.  Jereaiiah  Iladley  of 
Whitelick  and  Dr.  James  Kersey  were  also  at  the  meeting. 

10th. — Jonathan,  William,  Benajah  W.  Hiatt  and  myself  set  ofi" 
for  Friends'  Shawnee  Mission,  via  Lawrence,  in  a  carriage.  We 
passed  through  rich,  beautiful  prairie  country  on  the  way  to  Law- 
rence, and  crossing  the  Kansas  River,  came  to  that  place  about 
three  o'clock  p.  m.  After  remaining  an  hour  or  so,  to  attend  to 
some  business  and  make  some  inquiries,  we  proceeded  eastward 
toward  the  Mission  ten  or  eleven  miles,  and  staid  the  night  with 
our  friends  Jonathan  and  Phebe  Mendenhall,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Eudora.  The  country  through  which  we  passed,  after  leaving 
Lawrence,  is  level  prairie  and  very  rich. 

11th. — We  called  at  Levi  Woody 's  ;  then  visited  two  Indian 
chiefs,  who  reside  not  far  oflP ;  first,  Charles  Fish,  whom  we  found 
so  intoxicated  that  we  were  not  able  to  obtain  information  from 
him,  or  have  any  satisfaction  with  him.  His  wife  is  a  fine-looking 
person,  and  intelligent  in  appearance.  Next,  Paschal  Fish,  his 
brother,  some  two  miles  or  more  ofi".  He  is  a  sober,  intelligent 
person ;  speaks  English  well ;  and  makes  religious  profession. 
They  both  have  good  farms,  and  Paschal  has  a  frame  dwelling,  in 
good  order. 

Proceeded  next,  via  Lexington,  to  De  Soto,  where  we  had  some 
hope  of  finding  James  B.  Abbott,  the  newly  appointed  agent  of  the 
Shawnees.  But  he  had  gone  to  Westport ;  so  we  proceeded  for- 
ward to  Shawnee,  and  thence,  after  making  arrangement  to  see  the 
agent  to-morrow  on  his  return,  we  went  to  Friends'  Mission,  dis- 
tant from  Shawnee  about  two  and  a  half  miles.  We  found  the 
family  and  school  well,  and  were  kindly  received.    There  are  now 


244 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFm. 


[1861. 


twenty-four  Indian  and  three  white  children — twenty-seven  in  all — 
under  Lydia  Butler  as  teacher. 

12th. — We  visited  the  school  in  the  morninp; ;  then  went  to  the 
house  of  Graham  Rogers,  the  presiding  chief  of  the  Shawnees; 
but  he  was  gone  from  home.  His  wife  and  his  mother  Cotsiqua 
treated  us  respectfully.  Graham  owns  a  large  farm  of  good  land, 
and  his  dwelling  is  respectable  and  comfortable.  After  leaving  the 
dwelling,  we  passed  a  large  wheat  field  of  one  hundred  acres  or 
more ;  the  wheat  looking  very  well.  We  regretted  not  finding 
him  at  home.  After  twelve  o'clock  m.,  we  went  to  Shawnee  to 
meet  the  agent,  and  had  an  opportunity  of  laying  our  request 
before  him,  that  he  would  aid  us  in  obtaining  a  more  perfect  title 
for  our  school  farm — three  hundred  and  twenty  acres — which  he 
heard  with  respect,  and  promised  assistance.  We  were  also  intro- 
duced to  Matthew  King,  another  Shawnee  chief,  and  Samuel  M. 
Cornatzcr,  secretary  of  the  Shawnee  council. 

We  returned  to  the  Mission,  and  in  the  evening  walked  over  the 
large  farm.  The  growing  crops  all  look  well;  but  we  fear  that  the 
superintendent,  James  Stanley,  has  more  on  hand  than  he  can 
accomplish,  and  that  the  corn  will  suffer  for  want  of  tillage. 

13th. — Visited  the  school,  and  was  engaged  in  preparing  papers, 
in  the  forenoon.  Then,  after  dinner,  visited  the  Mission  of  the 
Methodist  Church  South,  about  four  or  five  miles  distant,  which 
has  been  superintended  by  Thomas  Johnson.  This  Mission  would 
appear  to  have  been  undertaken  upon  a  magnificent  scale  ;  there 
are  three  sections  (one  thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty  acres) 
of  land  attached  to  the  establishment,  of  a  first-rate  quality ;  the 
location  is  extremely  beautiful  ;  the  dwelling,  school  and  chapel 
buildings,  boarding-house,  and  other  buildings,  appear  to  have 
been  arranged  of  sufiicient  magnitude  and  capacity  to  educate  all 
the  children  of  the  Shawnees.  The  income  is  very  large  ;  it  has 
enjoyed  the  entire  patronage  of  the  government;  but  yet,  from  the 
very  small  number  (about  seven  or  eight)  of  Shawnee  children 
now  at  school,  and  the  dilapidated  and  shattered  condition  of  the 
buildings  generall}'^,  it  gives  to  visitors  like  us  the  idea  of  a  perfect 
failure.  The  Shawnee  agent  has  received  a  commission  to  examine 
the  concern,  and  possibly  some  considerable  changes  may  soon  be 
made  as  to  the  exclusive  favor  of  the  government.  We  understand 
that  a  son  of  Thomas  Johnson  now  has  the  superintendency  of  the 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


245 


concern  ;  but  he  was  not  at  home.  We  were  courteously  received 
by  the  young  man  who  is  acting  as  teacher  (who  is  a  minister  of 
the  Methodist  Cliurch  South)  at  the  school,  who  afterward  took  us 
to  the  dwelling  and  introduced  us  to  his  wife.  After  a  short  stay 
we  returned. 

14th. — We  bad  an  interesting  interview  with  our  Mission  school, 
and  asked  them  many  questions  on  geography  and  Scripture.  Their 
answers  were  very  satisfactory,  considering  their  experience,  and 
showed  that  they  had  received  much  care  and  labor  from  their 
teacher,  Lydia  Butler,  and  from  the  superintendent  and  matron, 
James  and  Rachel  Stanley.  Then  we  arranged  various  matters  of 
business,  and  soon  after  dinner  parted  with  our  friends  at -the 
Mission,  and  with  the  Indian  children,  and  proceeded  on  our  return 
to  Kansas  settlement  of  Friends.  Our  school  is  now  composed  of 
Indian  children  of  the  tribes  named  below :  seven  Shawnees,  ten 
Ottawas,  two  Wyandottes,  one  Stockbridge,  one  Brotherton,  one 
Seneca,  one  New  York,  and  three  white  children  (J.  S.'s) — twenty- 
seven  in  all. 

In  our  way  we  passed  Shawnee,  crossed  the  Kansas  river  at  the 
"  Delaware  Crossing.'^,"  and  came  to  the  Baptist  Mission,  superin- 
tended by  John  G.  Pratt  and  wife.  It  was  pouring  rain,  and  we 
were  kindly  taken  in.  There  are  now  about  sixty-five  children,  all 
of  the  Delaware  tribe  of  Indians,  who  appear  to  be  well  instructed 
by  two  female  teachers,  Elizabeth  Morse  and   . 

Sixth-month  15. — We  had  an  interesting  interview  with  the  school 
soon  after  nine  o'clock;  then  set  off  to  the  north-west,  and  traveled 
through  the  beautiful  and  excellent  lands  of  the  Delawares,  and 
reached  Wm.  H.  Coffin's  in  the  evening. 

16th. — First-day. — Rested  ;  went  to  the  Scripture  school,  and 
then  attended  meeting.  Over  sixty  at  school,  and  about  one  hun- 
dred at  meeting.  After  meeting  to  Benajah  W.  Hiatt's,  and  to 
William's  in  the  evening. 

17th. — We  set  off  this  morning  for  home.  William  and  Bena- 
jah accompanied  us  to  Leavenworth,  where,  after  doing  some  busi- 
ness, we  embarked  on  steamboat  to  latan,  and  thence  by  railway  to 
St.  Joseph,  and  staid  at  the  Patte  House,  a  large  and  well-conducted 
hotel.  There  are  a  considerable  number'of  government  troops  now 
here  to  protect  the  property,  preserve  the  peace,  and  in  the  en- 
forcement of  the  laws. 


246 


LIFE  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


18tli. — Set  off  at  five  o'clock  on  our  way  to  Hannibal,  to  •which 
place  wc  came  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  Troops  were  stationed  at  various 
places  to  protect  the  railway,  and  bridges,  etc.  From  Hannibal  to 
Quincy,  by  boat;  and  were  off  at  six  o'clock  and  forty  minutes 
p.  M.,  on  the  road  across  Illinois. 

19th. — We  came  to  the  Junction,  near  Lafayette,  in  the  morning, 
to  breakfast ;  thence  to  Indianapolis,  and  home  at  twenty-five  min- 
utes past  three.  Being  very  feeble  and  much  prostrated,  I  was 
truly  grateful  to  arrive  again  at  sweet  home,  and  to  come  again 
under  the  embrace  and  care  of  the  loved  ones  there  and  there- 
about. 

The  entries  in  Elijah  Coffin's  journal  here  cease.  His 
increasing  ill  health,  to  which  allusion  is  made  in  the  above 
memorandum,  rendered  him  unable  to  continue  it,  in  addi- 
tion to  his  other  engagements. 

He  returned  home  from  this  journey  but  little  benefited, 
the  labor  of  traveling,  his  close  engagements,  while  there, 
and  the  necessity  of  a  speedy  return,  on  account  of  the 
outbreak  of  hostilities  in  Missouri,  caused  the  journey  to 
prove  rather  a  disadvantage  to  him  than  otherwise. 
^  In  a  pocket  memorandum  book  which  he  had  previously 
used  for  his  notes,  from  which  he  compiled  his  journal,  we 
find  the  following  brief  entries,  which,  if  his  health  had 
permitted,  would  no  doubt  have  been  written  out  more  fully 
on  transcribing  them  into  his  journal. 

My  cherries  ripe  at  home.  Very  feeble,  resting  at  home.  Cur- 
rants began  to  ripen.  Daily  news  of  skirmishes  with  federal  and 
rebel  troops. 

21st. — White  lilies  in  bloom.    A  hot  afternoon,  ninety  degrees. 

22d. — Dr.  William  Judkins  died  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.  Still 
feeble,  but  better.  Visited  Matthew  Barker.  Funeral  of  Mary 
Thomas,  at  New  Garden. 

24th. — Our  strawberries  are  gone.    Currants  beginning  to  rij^ea. 

25th. — Catalpas  in  bloom.    Raspberries  beginning  to  ripen. 

26th. — Monthly  Meeting.    Gooseberries  in  season. 

29th. — White  lillies  in  bloom. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIIT. 


247 


30th. — First-day. — Hral  a  poorly  afternoon.  I  have  been  very 
feeble  and  unwell  for  awhile  past. 

Scvcntli-montli  1. — A  comet  appeared  in  the  northwest,  with  a 
tail  reaching  to  the  zenith. 

2d. — The  comet  is  forty-five  degrees  above  the  horizon,  in  the 
northwest,  and  the  tail  reaches  to  the  zenith  and  beyond. 

A  beautiful  prospect  of  the  comet  this  morning,  said  to  be  the 
largest  since  1812. 

6th. — Catalpas  in  bloom.  The  comet  continues  visible,  but  goes 
hisher  toward  the  zenith,  and  less  of  the  tail  is  to  be  seen. 

7th. — First-day. — A  good  Scripture  school  ;  one  hundred  and 
forty-three  present.    I  am  some  better,  but  feeble. 

8th. — Manilla  cherries  in  season  ;  trees  full  this  year.  A  fine 
rain ;  much  needed. 

9th. — My  strength  improves  slowly. 

10th. — Our  first  early  York  cabbages. 

11th. — Went  to  Earlham  College. 

13th. — The  season  of  raspberries  closed.    Garden  peas  gone. 

14th. — FirM-di(y. — A  very  good  Scripture  school.   in  at- 
tendance. About  fifty  at  family  meeting  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's,  this 
evening  ;  a  good  meeting. 

16th. — Skirmishes  almost  daily  in  AVestcrn  Virginia,  and  occa- 
sionally in  Missouri. 

17th. — The  season  of  currants  closed.  My  Scripture  Exercises 
on  the  Old  Testament,  out  to-day. 

18th. — The  season  of  gooseberries  closed. 

19th. — First  peonies  in  bloom.  A  great  battle  in  Eastern  Vir- 
ginia threatened. 

20th. — The  season  of  Manilla  cherries  closed.  The  grape-vines 
promise  a  fine  yield  this  year. 

21st. — First-day. — One  hundred  and  sixty-seven  at  Scripture 
school ;  the  largest  of  the  season,  and  largest  of  any  former  attend- 
ance. Over  fifty  at  family  meeting  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's  this 
evening. 

22d. — Hollyhock's  in  bloom.  We  hear  of  a  terrible  conflict  be- 
tween the  national  troops  and  the  rebels,  at  Manassas  Junction  on 
21st. 

23d. — First  apples  of  the  season,  on  the  table.  Blackberries 
coming  in.    Went  to  Jacob  Graves'  this  morning.  ■ 


248 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


2-4tli. — First  tiger  lilies  in  bloom.    Monthly  Meeting. 

25tli. — Death  of  Thomas  Frazier,  near  Salem,  Iowa. 

28th. — One  hundred  and  thirty-nine  at  Scripture  school.  First- 
day  School  Committee  at  four  o'clock  p.  m. 

29th. — Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee.  Executive  Indiana 
Bible  Association.    A  busy,  but  agreeable  day. 

31st. — Thermometer  ninety-four  degrees.  Eli  Johnson  went  to 
Cincinnati. 

Eiglith-month  1. — First  new_corn  and  beans.  Thermometer  ninety- 
two  degrees. 

2d, — Thermometer  eighty-three  degrees  at  thirty  minutes  past 
nine  o'clock  A.  M.;  clear.  Tiger  lilies  in  full  bloom.  Mary  C. 
Johnson  went  to  Cincinnati.  Thermometer  ninety-five  degrees  at 
three  o'clock  p.  M.    Wife  goes  to  Bethel,  llain. 

3d. —  Whitewater  Branch  General  Committee  on  First-day 
Schools,  at  Bethel,  at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.  E.  C.  to  discourse  twenty 
minutes,  on  the  origin  of  the  Bible,  and  history  of  translations 
[referring  to  himself].  Thermometer  eighty-seven  degrees,  at 
eleven  o'clock  a.  m. 

4th. — One  hundred  and  forty-eight  at  Scripture  school  this  A.  M. 
A  poorly  afternoon. 

5th. — Very  hot.  Thermometer  ninety  degrees  and  over.  M.  M. 
and  H.  A.  White  came  in  from  an  eastern  journey.  Poorly  again 
this  afternoon. 

6th. — Still  very  hot.    Death  of  Elisha  Bates. 

Medical  remedies  failing  to  check  the  decline,  and  seeing 
that  his  life  was  seriously  threatened,  his  physician  and 
family  urged  him  to  try  the  invigorating  influence  of  the 
sea  air  and  bathing.  Accompanied  by  his  son  C.  F.  C. 
and  wife,  and  a  friend,  he  reluctantly  left  home  on  the  fol- 
lowing date. 

8th. — Set  off  at  eleven  o'clock  p.  m.,  for  Atlantic  City,  New  Jer- 
sey. 

9th. — Breakfasted  at  Coshocton,  at  seven  o'clock  a.  m.  Indian 
Committee  at  Miami  to-day.  Heard  of  the  decease  of  Elisha  Bates  ; 
his  burial  was  on  the  7th.  Passed  Pittsburg,  forty-five  minutes 
past  three  o'clock  p.  M.    All  night  in  the  cars. 


1861.] 


LIPB  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


249 


10th. — At  Philadelphia,  at  thirty  minutes  past  five  o'clock  A.  M- 
Left  at  thirty  minutes  past  seven  o'clock,  for  Atlantic  City.  Miami 
Quarterly  Meeting  to-day.  Arrived  at  Atlantic  City  at  thirty  min- 
utes past  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  First  sea-bath  at  twelve  o'clock  m. 
Home  at  David  Scattergood's. 

11th.— A  fine  sea-bath  early  this  A.  M.  Meeting  at  J.  M.  Whit- 
all's,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock.  Poorly;  rested  in  the  afternoon. 
Rain. 

12th — Went  to  the  surf  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.  A  northeast  wind 
with  rain.    Poorly  again  this  afternoon. 

In  writing  to  his  daughter  H.  A.  W.,  he  thus  refers 
to  his  indisposition : 

"  I  can  not  say  that  I  am  better,  my  difficulties  remain  much  the  same, 
that  distressing  spasmodic  paroxysm  of  the  upper  region  of  the  stomach  still 
comes  upon  me  occasionally — and  short  of  a  total  abstinence  of  food,  I  should 
scarcely  know  how  to  avoid  it — frequently  very  distressing,  but  |more  or  less 
so  at  times,  while  it  lasts,  say  from  two  to  four  hours.  Last  night,  after  sup- 
per, I  had  a  very  ill  turn  until  midnight  perhaps,  but  am  better  this  morn- 
ing." .... 

13th. — To  the  surf  at  five  o'clock  A.  M.  Charles  left  for  Phila- 
delphia at  fifteen  minutes  past  six.  A  stormy  day.  Wind  from 
northeast. 

14th. — Fourth-day. — Session^of  Earlham  College  closes.  Prepa- 
rative Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at  home. 

15th. — Meeting  at  J.  M.  Whitall's,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  Rode 
to  the  beach,  then  sailed  to  Brigantine  beach,  five  miles. 

A  pleasant  sail.    A  fine  day  throughout. 

16th. — About  the  house,  and  wrote  letters.  Windy,  cloudy  and 
threatening  rain. 

17th. — Rainy  this  morning. 

18th. — First-day. — A  pleasant  bath  in  the  surf.  Meeting  at  J. 
M.  Whitall's  at  half  past  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  Scripture  reading  at 
J.  M.  Whitall's. 

19th. — A  pleasant  bath  in  the  surf.    Rode  on  the  beach. 

20th. — Went  crab  fishing.  Left  Atlantic  City  and'went  to  Phil- 
adelphia. Home  with  my  friends  Thomas  E.  and  Hannah  Bees- 
ley,  No.  32  Eleventh  street. 

21st. — Attended  to  several  matters  in  the  city.  To  meeting  at 
Twelfth  street  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  Dinner  at  Dr.  Beesley's.  Wil- 

17 


250 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN, 


[1861. 


liana  G.  Johnson  present.  Rode  to  Fairmount,  etc.,  with  Thomas 
Kimber  ;  then  to  tea  with  him. 

22d. — T.  Kimber  went  with  me  to  several  places  in  the  city. 
Dinner  at  Dr.  Beesley's.  Left  for  Pittsburg  at  fifteen  minutes  past 
ten  o'clock  p.  M. 

23d. — Breakfast  at  Altoona.  At  Pittsburgh  at  twelve  o'clock  M. 
Left  in  a  boat  at  two  o'clock.    Staid  at  Wellsville. 

24th.— Off  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.  to  Stubenville.  To  William  H. 
Ladd's  at  half  past  ten  o'clock.  Delightful  weather.  Had  a  poorly 
evening. 

2bth.— First-day.— At  William  H.  Ladd's.  Went  with  William 
H.  Ladd  to  meeting  at  Cross  Creek.    Had  a  poorly  day. 

26th. — At  William  fl.  Ladd's.    Caroline  and  I  rode  out. 

Death  of  John  Morris.    Fine  weather  continues. 

27th — At  William  H.  Ladd's.    Caroline  and  I  rode  out  again. 

28th. — At  William  H.  Ladd's.  Caroline  and  I  rode  out.  Felt  my 
feebleness.    William  went  over  the  Ohio  river  into  Pennsylvania. 

29tb. — At  William  H.  Ladd's.  Caroline  and  I  rode  out.  Fine 
weather.  Leave  at  two  o'clock  p.  si.  for  Unionport,  to  take  the  cars 
homeward. 

30th. — Home  at  thirty-five  minutes  past  four.  A  delightful  day 
and  weather. 

3l8t. — Poorly  this  morning.    Another  very  fine  day. 

This  journey  also  proved  insufficient,  and  he  returned, 
not  being  in  the  least  benefited.  He  was  able  to  ride  out 
and  daily  to  give  some  attention  to  bis  common  engage- 
ments ;.  his  continued  interest  in  the  various  objects  of  a 
religious  and  philanthropic  nature,  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
led  him  to  give  them  more  attention  than  the  state  of  his 
health  justified.  He  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  concerns 
connected  with  the  approaching  Yearly  Meeting, 'and  the 
efforts  of  his  pen  were  only  abated  when  his  exhausted 
strength  demanded  a  cessation  of  labor. 

Ninth-month  1. — To  Scripture  school;  one  hundred  and  forty- 
nine  present.    Fine  day.    To  meeting.    Feeble  this  afternoon, 
j   2d. — Second-day. — Rode  out.    About  home. 


1861.] 


[life  of  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


251 


3d. — Rode  out.    About  home. 

4th. — Rode  out.  Went  to  meeting.  William  H.  Morgan,  wife 
and  daughter  at  meeting  and  home  with  us. 

5th. — Rode  out.  Poorly  this  afternoon;  obliged  to  give  up  go- 
ing to  Quarterly  Meeting. 

Gth. — John  Ilodgkin  and  Jeremiah  Hacker  arrived  at  Charles 
P.  Coffin's  last  night.  They  go  off  to  Quarterly  Meeting  this  morn- 
ing.   I  can  not  go.    Auxiliary  Bible  Meeting  at  three  o'clock. 

7th. — Peaches  ripening.  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Milford.  A 
good  meeting,  I  hear.  John  Hodgkin  and  Jeremiah  Hacker,  David 
Hunt  and  wife  present. 

8th. — Eliza  P.  Gurney,  John  M.  Whitall,  and  Mary  his  wife, 
came  at  half  past  four,  yesterday.  John  and  Mary  Whitall  go 
with  us  to  Scripture  school.  Eliza  attended  meeting.  A  good 
meeting.  John  Hodgkin  at  Milford,  but  came  here  and  attended 
Family  Meeting  at  Charles  F.  Coffin's. 

9th. — I  went  to  our  college  with  John  and  Mary  Whitall.  In 
the  afternoon,  the  Friends  went  to  an  appointed  meeting  of  John 
Hodgkin,  near  the  village  of  Boston.  They  returned  in  the  evening. 

10th. — Eliza  P.  Gurney,  and  her  companions,  go  homeward  at 
half  past  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  John  Hodgkin  and  company  go  west- 
ward to  Spiceland  at  fifteen  minutes  past  ten  o'clock.  I  am  but 
feeble  to-day.  The  weather  has  been  very  dry  recently.  Rain 
this  evening. 

11th. — Rain;  refreshing  and  most  acceptable.  A  marriage  of 
Elgar  Brown,  junior,  with  Sarah  Bond  to-day.  Weather  wet.  I 
was  two  feeble  to  attend  meeting. 

A  change  of  physicians  will  explain  the  following  note. 
Elijah  Coffin  had  been  under  medical  treatment  for  some 
time  previous  to  this  date. 

12th. — About  home.    Poorly.    Consulted  Dr.  Baer. 

13th. — Much  in  health  as  yesterday.  Friends  passed  through 
going  to  Western  Yearly  Meeting.    Grapes  ripening. 

14th. — Peaches  in  full  season.  Rain.  About  the  house,  and 
poorly.  Western  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders.  Heavy 
rain. 

15th. — Rain  last  night.  Too  feeble  to  go  to  Scripture  school  or 
aieeting.    Western  Yearly  Meeting.    A  fine  day. 


252 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


16th. — Western  Yearly  Meeting  of  Business. 

17th. — We  hear  good  reports  from  Western  Yearly  Meeting.  I 
am  still  in  poor  health.    Dr.  Bear  visits  me  daily. 

18th. — Not  able  to  go  to  meeting.    Preparative  Meeting. 

20th. — Western  Yearly  Meeting.  About  home  these  days  ;  quite 
poorly. 

*    22d. — Not  able  to  go  to  meeting.    I  am  still  quite  poorly. 

24th. — John  Henry  Douglas  came  to  see  me. 
'    25th. — Monthly  Meeting.    I  did  not  attend — too  unwell. 

27th. — Edith  Griffith  came  in  to  see  me,  on  a  visit.  Spent  the 
day  acceptably  with  me.  David  and  Sarah  Ann  Hunt  came  in  to 
see  me. 

28th. — Edith  Griffith  left  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.  for  Cincinnati. 
Weather  cool.    John  Hodgkin  came  to  Charles  F.  Coffin's. 

29th. — First  frost  last  night.  I  did  not  attend  Scripture  school, 
but  attended  meeting.  Feeble.  John  Hodgkin,  David  Hunt,  and  J. 
H.  Douglas  present.  John  Hodgkin  had  a  public  meeting  at  four 
o'clock  P.  sf. — probably  two  thousand  persons  present — about  se^^en 
•hundred  soldiers. 

30th. — Our  daughters  Mary  and  Hannah  Amelia  arrived.  Eli- 
zabeth Meader  and  companions  arrived.  A  fine  day.  Gathered 
some  grapes. 

Tenth-month  1. — Elizabeth  Meader  and  companions,  Henry  T. 
Wood  and  wife,  called.  Yearly  Meeting  of  Ministers  and  Elders  at 
ten  o'clock  A.  M.;  I  attended  an  hour  and  a  half.  Certificates  were 
read  for  John  Hodgkin,  Elizabeth  Meader,  Mary  Thomas,  Samuel 
Lloyd,  Edward  Jenkins,  Mary  Elliot,  Martha  Watkins  and  Joseph 
Haviland.  The  Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  three  o'clock;  I  hear  it 
was  a  good  meeting. 

2d. — Executive  Committee  of  Indiana  Bible  Association  at  ten 
A.  M.  at  the  school-house  ;  the  report  adopted.  Annual  Meeting 
of  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee  at  six  o'clock  P.  M;  a  good 
meeting. 

3d. — Yearly  Meeting  at  ten  o'clock ;  decidedly  smaller  than  here- 
tofore ;  I  attended  one  hour  and  twenty  minutes ;  a  good  sitting. 
African  Committee  at  four  o'clock  P.  M.  Education  Committee  at 
six  o'clock  p.  M.;  reported  large  and  interesting. 

4th. — Meeting  for  Sufferings  at  eight  o'clock.  Yearly  Meeting 
at  ten  o'clock  a.  m.;  the  attendance  fuller;  I  attended  one  hour  and 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


253 


thirty-five  minutes  :  state  of  Society  considered.  Bible  Meeting  at 
six  o'clock  P.  M. 

Those  who  were  privileged  to  attend  the  sitting  of  the 
Yearly  Meeting  above  alluded  to,  will  retain  a  lively  mem- 
ory of  the  erect  but  wasted  form  of  him  who  has  performed 
his  allotted  task  on  earth,  and  become  a  member  of  th£ 
"General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the  First-born,"  in 
Heaven,  as  he  pressed  the  claims  of  personal  religion  upon 
his  hearers  in  a  communication  of  almost  half  an  hour  in 
length.    He  says: 

Our  Saviour  had  a  significant  meaning  when  he  said:  "Feed  my  lambs — 
feed  my  sheep;"  and  the  Apostle  when  he  said:  "  Feed  the  flock  of  God."  A 
proper  concern  has  been  felt  by  many  because  some  of  our  youth  do  not  man- 
ifest all  that  attachment  to  our  principles  and  practice  wliicli  we  desire.  A 
v«ry  serious  inquiry  jirises,  why  this  should  be  so,  and  a  deep  sense  of  our 
responsibility  should  take  hold  of  our  minds.  If  those  who  are  further  ad- 
vanced in  years,  and  on  whom  the  weight  of  Society  mainly  rests,  do  not  mani- 
fest an  example  of  hearty  devotedness  to  Christ,  and  conimeud  that  example  by 
sound,  careful,  tender  instruction;  if  they  do  not  through  the  aid  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  dispense  spiritual  food,  they  can  not  expect  a  growing  attachment  to 
their  profession  in  the  youth.  Care  as  the  outward  restraints  is  necessary 
and  indispensable,  as  well  as  a  due  regard  to  our  Christian  testimonies,  to 
plainness  of  speech  and  apparel.  But  these  alone,  without  spiritual  nourish- 
ment and  instruction,  would  be  like  starving  the  flock  within  the  fold  which 
protects  it  from  outside  dangers.  So  if  our  youth,  on  being  awakened  to  some 
sense  of  their  spiritual  need — on  coming  to  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteous- 
ness, and  to  feel  an  interest  in  their  eternal  welfare,  should  not  find  living 
bread  at  home,  they  will  be  likely  to  seek  for  it  elsewhere.  So  also  those  who 
are  not  awakened,  will  fail  to  see  anything  attractive  in  our  forms,  except  a  re- 
fined morality,  where  there  is  no  life  of  religion  making  its  impression  from 
those  to  whom  they  look.  Let  us,  therefore,  be  stirred  up  to  a  due  sense  of  our 
situation  and  responsibilities.  Let  the  love  of  Christ,  and  a  hearty  devotion 
appear  in  our  lives,  and  conduct,  and  words.  Lei  prayer  abound — not  prayer 
talked  of,  but  prayer  practiced  "  with  the  spirit  and  with  the  understanding  also." 
Do  our  children' ever  hear  us  pray?  Do  they  know  that  we  ever  do  pray? 
While  we  may  inadvertently  or  otherwise  speak  slightly  of  the  prayer  of  others, 
are  we  not  in  danger  of  suppressing  right  exercises  in  our  youth,  and  of  the 
fearful  error  of  " quenching  the  spirit?"  Let  us  practice  devotional  family 
reading.  The  Holy  Scriptures  and  the  Holy  Spirit  assuredly  come  to  our  aid. 
In  all  devotional  exercises,  the  only  test  is  whether  they  are  owned  or  attended 
by  the  Spirit  of  Christ.  If  they  are,  all  opposition  proceeds  from  a  wrong  source 
Our  testimony  lies  against  formal  and  lifeless  prayer.    Let  us  encourage  those 


254  LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN.  [1861. 

■who  are  religiously  exercised,  and  help,  instruct,  correct,  and  lead  forward 
such  in  a  loving  spirit.  And  at  small  meetings  where  there  may  be  little  of 
the  life  of  religion,  let  the  members  be  stirred  up  to  greater  practical  devoted- 
ness  and  life  in  their  profession.  "  Let  their  meetings  be  held  in  the  power  of 
God;"  and  we  believe  that  where  our  profession  is  commended  by  the  over- 
flowing of  the  love  of  God,  the  attachment  of  our  youth  and  others  will  be  se- 
cured, and  that  Society  and  fellowship,  and  love,  and  unity,  will  grow  and  in- 
crease. We  should  also  remember  our  inherent  and  guaranteed  privileges  of 
family  worship,  either  in  single  families,  or  where  others  may  join  as  a  private 
social  engagement.  And  families  living  remote  or  while  traveling,  are  en- 
couraged to  attend  to  this  solemn  duty  and  obligation,  which  would  tend  to 
keep  up  the  life  in  themselves  and  their  families,  and  commend  their  profession 
to  others. 

These  remarks  of  Elijah  Coffin  were  characterized  by  a 
spirit  of  earnest  zeal  for  the  Master ;  the  meeting  directed 
the  clerk  to  embody  them  in  the  minute  on  the  state  of 
Society. 

5th. — Ministers  and  Elders  at  eight  o'clock.  Yearly  Meeting  at 
ten  o'clock  ;  the  meeting  full.  I  attended  one  hour  and  forty-five 
minutes.  Indian  reports.  Committee  of  Boarding-School,  etc. — 
General  First-day  School  Committee  at  four  o'clock  p.  m. 

Eli  Johnson  came  in  at  ten  o'clock.  Rain. 

6th. — First-day. — Rain.  Large  Meeting  for  Worship  at  16  o'clock 
A.  M.  I  attended  one  hour  and  a  half.  John  Hodgkin  spoke  fifty 
minutes.  Another  large  meeting  at  three  o'clock  p.  M.  A  Meet- 
ing of  Youth  at  seven  o'clock  ;  house  full. 

7th. — Yearly  Meeting  at  ten  o'clock.  I  attended  until  twelve 
o'clock.  Additional  exercise  on  the  state  of  Society.  John  Hodg- 
kin's  Meeting  for  Youth  at  four  o'clock  p.  m.  ;  house  full. 

8th. — Yearly  Meeting  at  eleven  o'clock.  I  attended  until  thirty 
minutes  past  twelve.  Yearly  Meeting  closed  at  three  o'clock  P.  m. 
Many  Friends  departed  homeward.  John  Hodgkin  and  companion 
and  Dr.  Beesley  left  at  eleven  o'clock  P.  m.  for  Philadelphia. 

The  Sabbath  School  Conference  of  Friends,  which  was  to 
be  held  at  Cincinnati,  during  the  week  following  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  had  promise  of  being  an  occasion  full  of  interest, 
to  one  who  so  much  loved  the  Sabbath  school  interests  as 
Elijah  Coffin ;  and  although  scarcely  able  to  leave  the  pre- 


1851.] 


LIFE  OP  ELUAH  COFFIN. 


255 


cincts  of  his '  own  threshold,  he  could  not  easily  forbear 
making  the  attempt  to  be  present.  His  family  also  did  not 
feel  fully  satisfied  without  still  further  efforts  being  made  to 
arrest  the  progress  of  his  disease,  and  much  desired  that  his 
case  might  be  examined  by  a  valued  physician  and  friend 
of  the  family,  Dr.  David  Judkins,  in  Cincinnati,  which  be- 
ing strongly  urged  by  personal  friends,  who  were  attending 
the  Yearly  Meeting,  in  compliance  with  their  wishes,  he  set  ^ 
off,  accompanied  by  his  eldest  daughter  and  son,  C.  F.  C, 
and  his  wife,  for  this  double  purpose. 

9th. — Received  several  calls  this  morning.  I  left  home  at  four 
o'clock  p.  M.,  with  our  children,  for  Cincinnati.  Arrived  at  thirty 
minutes  past  eight  o'clock,  having  suffered  on  the  way  much  pain. 

10th. — Received  a  call  from  Dr.  D.  Judkins.  Meeting  at  eleven 
o'clock ;  I  did  not  attend.  Scripture  School  Conference  met  at 
half-past  two  o'clock  p.  M.  I  was  appointed  to  preside  pro  tern.;  an 
interesting  company  present.    Had  a  very  poorly  night. 

11th. — Felt  low  this  morning.  I  attended  the  morning  session 
for  a  short  time.  Went  again  to  the  afternoon  session  for  awhile. 
A  session  in  the  evening.    I  did  not  go. 

12th. — Had  a  comfortable  night.  Attended  the  Conference  for 
a  short  time.  Conference  closed  at  half-past  one  o'clock.  Many 
members  left  for  home  in  the  evening. 

13th. — First-day. — Had  a  night  in  a  good  degree  comfortable- 
Rode  out  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  Attended  meeting  at  eleven  o'clock, 
the  forepart  of  the  time.  Elizabeth  Comstock,  a  Friend  minister 
from  Michigan,  Joseph  Haviland,  Henry  Rowntree,  Edward  Jen- 
kins and  others  present. 

14th. — At  Eli  Johnson's.  Dr.  Judkins'  visits  me  daily.  Rode 
out  to  the  fortifications.  Rode  again  in  the  afternoon.  Read  proof- 
sheets  of  Minutes. 

15th. — At  Eli  Johnson's.  Very  fine  weather.  Rode  out  in  the 
city. 

16th. — At  Eli  Johnson's.  Rode  over  to  Covington  and  beyond. 
Read  proof-sheets  of  Minutes.  A  new  watch.  Fine  weather  still, 
but  cloudy. 

17th. — Monthly  Meeting  'at  Cincinnati.     I  attended  through 


256 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


Meeting  for  -^Worship.  Very  rainy  all  day.  My  weight  to- 
day is  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  pounds.  Went  out  again  in 
the  afternoon.    Eli  went  to  St.  Louis. 

18th. — Rained  until  past  midnight  last  night.  Hannah  A.  rode 
out  with  me  this  morning.  Cloudy  and  wet  to-day.  Fagged  with 
a  fine  ride  to  Mount  Auburn,  this  afternoon. 

19th. — Had  a  pleasant  ride  with  Mary.  Still  very  feeble,  yet 
Dr.  Judkins  thinks  I  am  some  better.  The  first  /o)7?i  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  minutes  is  being  printed  to-day.  My  dear  wife  came  in 
this  evening. 

20th. — I  rode  out  with  Mary,  then  attended  meeting. 

21st. — At  Eli  Johnson's.  The  printing  of  the  Yearly  Meeting 
minutes  nearly  completed. 

22d. — At  Eli  Johnson's.  Eli  gone  to  St.  Louis.  Rode  out  each 
day  into  the  city.    I  am  at  work  at  the  Annual  Bible  Report. 

23d. — At  Eli  Johnson's. 

24th. — Went  to  meeting,  and  staid  nearly  an  hour.  Read  the 
proof-sheets  of  the  Bible  Report.  Felt  a  little  better  than  last 
two  days.    Fine  weather. 

25th. — At  Eli's.  My  weight  to-day  is  one  hundred  and  sixteen 
pounds.  I  am  not  so  well  to-day.  My  wife  is  to  go  home  in  the 
morning. 

26th. — My  wife  left  early  for  Richmond.  I  am  to  stay  a  few 
days  longer. 

27th. — I  went  to  meeting  and  staid  part  of  it.  First-day  School 
Committee  and  Teacher's  Meeting  at  four  o'clock  p.  M.,  at  White- 
water. 

28th. — Had  a  very  poorly  day.    More  comfortable  this  evening. 

29th. — Left  early  for  Richmond.  My  nurse,  Anthony  Gaines, 
went  with  me.  Arrived  at  fifteen  minutes  past  ten  o'clock,  truly 
thankful  to  get  again  to  our  own  sweet  home.  This  is  one  of  my 
better  days. 

He  derived  benefit  while  at  Cincinnati,  by  the  removal 
of  acute  pain,  but  there  was  almost  a  complete  loss  of 
power  on  the  part  of  his  stomach,  and  the  nutrition  he  re- 
ceived from  the  food  he  eouM  take  (which  was  less  than 
one  quarter  the  allowance  for  a  man  of  ordinary  health), 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


257 


was  not  sufficient  for  one  of  his  mental  exertion  and  toil, 
and  he  returned  home  in  a  hopeless  decline.  He  was  at 
this  time  engaged  in  arranging  articles  for  publication, 
reading  proof,  etc. 

30th. — Very  cool  and  blustery  last  night ;  cloudy  and  gloomy 
this  morning.    I  was  not  able  to  attend  meeting. 

31st. — Weather  still  cloudy,  gloomy  and  rainy.  I  am  a  good 
deal  poorly. 

Elevenih-monlh  1. — Dark  weather.  My  condition  about  the 
same.    I  ride  out  a  little  most  days. 

2d. — Weighed  one  hundred  and  fifteen  and  a  half  pounds,  with 
one  coat  on.    Weather  wet  and  gloomy. 

3d. — Dark,  cool  wet  weather.  John  Jones  and  Jesse  T.  Williams 
at  meeting.  I  was  not  able  to  attend.  Henry  Dickinson  of  New 
York,  also  here.  Large  family  meeting  at  C.  F.  C's.  I  could  not 
be  there.    H.  D.  and  J.  T.  W.  present. 

The  daily  practice  of  light  domestic  exercises  had  been 
advised  by  his  medical  attendant. 

4th. — Second-day. — A  fine  bright  morning.  I  was  exceedingly 
feeble  yesterday.    At  work  at  gate  and  wood-house. 

5th. — James  Hunnicutt  died  this  morning,  at  two  o'clock,  aged 
ninety-two  years  and  nine  months. 

6th. — Funeral  of  James  Hunnicutt,  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  I  went 
to  the  meeting-house,  and  remained  an  hour. 

7th. — Our  dear  Caroline,  with  Ellen,  Charles,  and  James,  the 
baby,  came  in  this  morning.   Very  fine  weather.   I  am  very  feeble. 

8th. — I  rode  out  to  the  college  this  morning,  with  Caroline.  I 
have  been  getting  ofi"  orders  for  new  tracts.  Fine  weather.  Took 
more  exercise  than  I  was  able  for. 

9th. — Had  a  low  night ;  a  little  better  this  morning,  but  low. 
Rode  out  at  ten  o'clock.  Wrote  to  Dr.  Weed  about  tracts.  Spent 
the  day  mostly  about  the  house.  Received  a  refreshing  letter  from 
L.  M.  Ferris.    Worked  some  at  our  Bible  papers. 

10th. — First-day. — Passed  a  more  comfortable  night.  Cloudy 
this  morning.  I  did  not  feel  able  to  go  to  Scripture  school  or 
meeting. 


258 


LIFB  OP  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


11th. — Our  Caroline  still  here  with  us  most  acceptably. 

12th. — About  home.  Very  feeble  ;  too  much  so,  to  be  out  much. 
News  this  week  of  the  taking  of  Beaufort,  N.  0. 

13th. — I  went  to  our  Select  Preparative  Meeting,  to  unburden 
myself  of  two  matters  of  concern,  which  I  did,  and  soon  after  re- 
turned. 

14th. — Very  feeble,  but  I  do  a  little  correspondence  nearly  every 
day,  and  am  able  to  read  some,  which  is  a  great  favor.  Death  of 
Elizabeth  Evans,  of  Philadelphia,  at  one  o'clock  A.  m.,  this  morning, 
at  Salem,  N.  J. 

15th. — My  wife  and  Miriam  went  to  visit  Earlham  College,  this 
morning.  My  stomach  appears  some  better.  My  wife  is  sixty-four 
years  of  age  to-day. 

In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  under  the  above  date,  he  writes : 

*  *  *  "  I  send  a  message  of  love  and  remembrance  to  thee;  I  am  very  feeble, 
scarcely  able  to  walk,  but  about  the  house  most  of  the  day.  My  wife  is  also 
very  infirm.  I  desire  in  everything  to  give  thanlis,  and  to  remember  with 
abounding  gratitude  the  many  mercies  and  favors  which  I  have  been,  and  am 
yet  permitted  to  enjoy."  *  *  ■» 

On  the  19th  of  the  month,  he  writes  to  his  son  W.  H. 
C,  as  follows : 

*  *  *  "I  can  take  very  little  food,  and  that  strictly  selected.  »  «  » 

"  My  flesh  and  strength  have  well  nigh  departed.  I  can  only  just  walk;  but 
when  easy  can  get  along  cheerfully,  and  endeavor  to  cultivate  a  grateful  heart 
to  the  God  and  Father  of  all  our  gifts,  mercies  and  comforts."  *  *  * 

To  Robert  and  Sarah  Lindsay,  he  writes : 

*  *  *  "  I  trust  we  are  in  a  good  measure  submissive  to  our  condition,  with- 
out any  disposition  to  murmur;  but  desiring  that  grateful  thanks  may  abound 
in  our  hearts  from  day  to  day,  to  the  Author  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  com- 
forts, for  the  many  blessings  and  favors  which  we  are  continually  allowed 
to  be  partakers  of."  »  *  * 

16th. — This  is  one  of  my  better  days.  I  rode^  out  and  enjoyed 
it.    A  fine  day  of  sunshine. 

17th. — First-day. — Cloudy  and  gloomy.  I  did  not  feel  able  to 
go  to  Scripture  school,  or  to  meeting.  I  note  my  sixty-third  year 
of  age  to-day. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


259 


18th.— A  fine  day.  I  rode  out.  My  sister  Mary  sixty-nine 
years  old.    Death  of  David  J]vans. 

19th. — A  fine  morning.    Very  light  frosts  as  yet. 
20th. — A  fine  day.    I  rode  out. 

21st. — A  very  fine  day.  Called  Dr.  Baer,  for  wife.  My  brother, 
Elisha,  is  eighty-two  years  old. 

22d. — It  is  quite  cloudy  this  morning.  The  weather  is  dark  and 
stormy,  with  much  rain  and  wind  in  the  afternoon.  The  winter 
seems  approaching. 

23d. — A  cold,  blustery,  stormy  night.  Cloudy  and  dark,  with 
some  snow  to-day.  We  have  some  snow  this  evening.  Very  win- 
try, with  wind. 

24th. — First-day — The  earth  is  covered  with  a  beautiful  coat  of 
snow,  two  or  three  inches  in  depth,  this  morning,  and  snow  still 
falling.  Cloudy  and  dark.  Thermometer  to-day  twenty-four  de- 
grees. Over  ninety  students  at  Scripture  school.  A  sinall  meeting, 
I  hear.    I  am  in  the  house  all  day. 

25th. — Still  very  wintry  this  morning,  with  some  snow  falling. 
My  stomach  appears  to  be  better;  thanks  be  to  the  Lord.  Esther 
Hadley  very  low. 

26th. — A  fine  morning.  I  am  better.  Several  visitors  called, 
among  whom  were  Mary  Charles,  Abigail  Symons,  Dr.  V.  Kersey, 
C.  Morgan  and  wife,  Ann  Lewis,  Benjamin  Thomas,  and  others.  I 
rode  out. 

27th. — Rain  last  night.  Weather  milder,  but  snow  still  over 
the  earth.  Monthly  Meeting.  Our  daughter  Miriam  published 
intentions  of  marriage  with  Hugh  W.  Maxwell.  William  H.  Ladd 
came  at  eight  o'clock  A.  M. 

28th. — Cloudy  this  morning.  Thanksgiving-day  by  proclama- 
tion of  Governor  Morton. 

29th. — Rain  last  night;  dark  and  cloudy  this  morning.  Guli- 
elma  Hiatt,  wife  of  Eleazar  Hiatt,  died  at  seven  o'clock  this  morn- 
ing, at  Chester. 

Esther  Hadley  died  at  three  o'clock  P.  M. 

30th. — A  delightful  clear  morning.  Thermometer  nineteen  de- 
grees.   William  and  Caroline  still  with  us. 

TiceJfth-month  1. — Cloudy,  dark  and  some  snow  falling.  Fune- 
ral of  Esther  Hadley  at  ten  o'clock  A.  m.    Funeral  of  Gulielma 


260 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


[1861. 


Hiatt  at  ten  o'clock,  at  Chester.  I  hear  that  at  Scripture  school 
there  were  over  ninety,  and  that  a  large  meeting  followed. 

Though  unable  to  walk  many  steps  unsupported,  Elijah 
Coffin  particularly  desired  to  attend  the  funeral  of  Esther 
Hadley  ;  assisted  into  his  carriage  by  two  persons,  he  vient 
to  the  residence  of  Jeremiah  Hadley,  and  after  looking  at 
the  corpse,  sat  a  few  moments  with  the  family  in  silent 
sitting.  This  was  nearly,  it  not  quite,  the  last  effort  to 
leave  his  own  door. 

2d. — Our  dear  William  H.  Ladd,  Caroline,  Ellen,  Charlie,  and 
the  baby  James,  all  left  us  at  eight  o'clock  a.  m.  for  Cincinnati. 
A  dark  cloudy  morning.  Thermometer  twelve  degrees ;  the  cold- 
est of  the  season.    I  am  taking  more  food,  and  enjoying  it  better. 

3d. —  Third-day. — A  fine  day.  Thermometer  twelve  degrees 
this  morning ;  clear. 

4th. — A  very  fine  morning.  Thermometer  eighteen  degrees  ; 
clear. 

5th. — Another  fine  morning.  Thermometer  twenty-three  de- 
gress.   I  have  eaten  and  enjoyed  a  fine  breakfast. 

6th. — Milder.  Thermometer  forty-four ;  cloudy.  Several  Friends 
called  to  see  me — Jabob  Elliott,  C.  H.  Moore,  John  Miles,  John 
Newley.  Select  Quarterly  Meeting.  African  Committee  and  Exe- 
cutive Bible  Committee. 

7th. — Thermometer  fifty  degrees;  cloudy.  Joseph  Cox  and  wife, 
Aaron  White  and  wife,  Sarah  Smith,  and  Nathan  Parker  and 
Francis  W.  Thomas  called.  Education  Committee  at  nine  o'clock 
A.  M.,  followed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  Had  a  good  meeting,'I 
hear.  Our  brother  and  sister,  Mordecai  and  Rhoda,  came  in  to  see 
me.    Very  feeble  this  evening. 

8th. — Fir&t-day.  —  Cloudy.  I  enjoyed  a  *  good  breakfast  this 
morning.  Very  feeble.  One  hundred  and  one  scholars  at  Scrip- 
tural school,  this  A.  M.  A  good  meeting.  Charles  Keece's  wife 
buried. 

9th. — Mild  and  cloudy.  Thermometer  fifty-eight  degrees.  I 
feel  much  feebleness  to-day:  but  take  more  food. 

10th. — Delightfully  clear  this  morning.  Cooler.  Thermometer 
twenty-six  degrees. 


1861.] 


LIFE  OF  ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


261 


11th. — Delightfully  clear  this  morning.  Cooler,  and  thermome- 
ter twenty-six  degrees. 

12th. — A  very  fine  morning.  Thermometer  sixteen  degrees. 
The  army  of  the  United  States  has  been  constantly  increased,  until 
it  is  now  becoming  very  large  about  Washington,  Fort  Monroe, 
Missouri,  and  in  Kentucky,  with  frequent  skirmishes. 

13th. — Another  fine  morning.  Thermometer  eighteen  degrees. 
Hannah  Amelia  White  arrived.  We  were  truly  glad  to  receive 
her. 

14th. — AJdelightful  clear  "morning.  Thermometer  twenty-two  de- 
grees. Charles  is  gone  to  Spiceland  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Walnut 
Ridge ;  Joseph  Dickinson  to  Northern  Quarterly  Meeting. 

15th. — First-day. — Beautifully  clear  this  morning.  Thermome- 
ter twenty-eight  degrees,  and  pleasant.  I  have  enjoyed  a  good 
breakfast,  but  am  very  feeble.  I  hear  there  were  one  hundred  and 
thirty-one  at  Scripture  school;  M.  J.  Fetcher  in  attendance.  Meet- 
ing at  Charles'  well  attended.    I  was  much  prostrated  this  evening. 

16th. — Another  beautiful,  delightful  winter  morning.  Thermo- 
meter twenty  degrees.  Hannah  Amelia  left  us  at  forty-five  minutes 
past  seven  this  morning.    Her  visit  had  been  truly  agreeable. 

17th. — Another  beautifnl  morning.  Thermometer  twenty-four 
degrees.  J.  J.  Kenworthy,  wife  and  sister  came  in  to  see  me.  Our 
daughter,  Mary  C.  Johnson,  came  in,  most  acceptably.  I  am  very 
feeble. 

18th. — The  weather  continues  most  remarkably  fine.  Thermo- 
meter thirty  degrees  this  morning. 

19th.  —  The  weather  still  exceedingly  lovely;  a  little  hazy. 
Thermometer  thirty  degrees.    Francis  W.  Thomas  called. 

20th. — Cloudy,  with  some  wind.  Thermometer  thirty-four  de- 
gress.   Mary  C.  Johnson  left  for  home  this  morning. 

Up  to  this  time  Elijah  Coffin  had  almost  daily  called  for 
his  pen  and  portfolio ;  he  had  not  entirely  given  up  his 
mental  toils  for  the  welfare  of  others ;  he  clung  to  it,  "  work- 
ing while  it  was  day,  and  putting  his  house  "  thoroughly 
"  in  order."  The  following  extract  is  made  from  the  last 
letter  written  by  his  own  hand,  and  addressed  to  his  son, 


262 


LAST  ENTRIES. 


W.  H.  C,  on  the  above  date,  which  gives  continued  evidence 
of  his  declining  strength  : 

....    I  take  my  pen  again  in  a  feeble  hand  to  address  a  few  lines  to  thee 

in  love  and  remembrance  I  have  become  so  very  weak  that  I  can  not 

easily  rise  or  walk  without  assistance.  ...  I  can  take  sufficient  food  at  my 
breakfast,  but  have  neither  appetite  nor  strength  of  digestion  for  much  after 
that,  until  the  next  morning.  The  weather  has  continued  most  remarkably 
fine  for  the  season,  more  so  than  usual.  Thy  mother  is  much  afflicted  with 
her  old  complaint  and  neuralgia,  so  as  to  disable  her  from  much  exertion.  We 
feel  ourselves  in  much  affliction,  but  I  trust  are  preserved  from  the  spirit  of 
murmuring,  and  are  desirous  of  considering  the  many  comforts,  consolations 
and  blessings  which  are  permitted  to  us,"  .... 

21st. — Weather  changed.  Am  very  feeble — evidently  weaker. 
Anthony  Gaines,  my  nurse,  came  this  evening  at  seven  o'clock. 

22d. —  Cold;  snow  last  night;  ground  white.  Thermometer 
twenty-eight  degrees.  I  feel  some  better  to-day.  Over  one  hun- 
dred at  Scripture  school  to-day.  Sick ;  with  a  dark  vomit  this 
evening. 

23d. — A  cloudy,  dark  wintry  morning,  with  snow.  Our  sister 
Mary  L.  Newby  and  Isaac  Parker,  came  in  to  see  us — most  welcome. 
William  Clawson  and  others  called.    Isaac  Parker  went  home. 

24th. —  Third-day. — Weather  still  dark  and  cloudy,  with  snow 
on  the  ground.    Thermometer  twenty  degrees. 


This  was  the  last  note  made  by  Elijah  Coffin : 

"  Ere  long  upon 
The  bank  of  that  dread  river,  deep  and  broad, 
He  stood — while  glorious  visions  greeted  his  sight." 

The  time  had  now  come  when  the  language  "Thou 
shalt  die  and  not  live,"  was  applicable  to  him  whose  daily- 
walks  we  have  been  tracing.  His  own  hand  was  now 
staid,  and  through  feebleness,  refused  to  note  even  a  short 
memoranda — the  labor  of  his  pen  was  sealed,  to  remain 
until  the  "  book  of  remembrance  "  is  opened,  to  tell  the 
story  of  the  good  it  accomplished.    His  last  memorandum 


LAST  ENTRIES. 


263 


notes  the  advance  of  the  chill  temperature  of  winter — so 
were  the  chill  blasts  of  death  advancing  upon  him — but 
the  unsetting  Son  of  the  world  illuminated  his  path,  and 
girded  him  with  the  "breast-plate  of  faith  and  love  and  the 
hope  of  salvation,"  and  his  calm  spirit  was  not  fluctuated 
at  the  evidences  of  approaching  dissolution. 


264 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Last  Days  and  Decease. 

Until  within  a  few  days  of  the  last  date,  his  strength 
had  been  sufficient  for  him  early  in  the  morning,  to  take  a 
few  steps  from  his  bed  to  his  easy  chair,  by  clinging  to 
something  for  support ;  but  after  taking  his  morning  meal 
(which  rarely  exceeded  a  tablespoonful  of  solid  food),  he 
soon  became  prostrate,  and  was  subject  to  seasons  of  great 
weakness,  attended  with  some  pain,  and  took  but  little 
nourishment  again  for  twenty-four  hours.  The  disease 
preyed  upon  him  in  a  succession  of  stages ;  at  each  relapse 
sinking  lower  than  the  one  before,  and  on  rallying  he  did 
not  again  reach  his  former  point  of  strength  and  vitality. 
Thus  day  after  day  he  yielded  ground  "  inch  by  inch.*' 

For  a  time  during  his  ill  health,  the  nature  of  his  disease 
was  such,  that  combined  with  a  naturally  nervous  tempera- 
ment, the  imperfections  of  human  nature  were  brought  forth 
and  rendered  him  wanting  in  power  to  keep  in  full  subjec- 
tion the  "  natural  shades  "  of  his  character.  The  enemy 
was  suffered  to  lead  him  into  the  mountain  of  temptation^ 
and  buffet  him  with  nervous  irritability,  which  he  occasion- 
ally manifested.  He  was  frequent  in  offering  "  the  fervent 
effectual  prayer  that  availeth  much  ;"  "  get  thee  behind 
me  Satan,"  was  the  language  of  his  spirit.  It  is  a  recorded 
fact,  that  "  they  who  seek  shall  find."  This  precious  truth 
was  touchingly  verified  in  the  experience  of  this  dear  in- 
valid. He  who  "  was  in  all  points  tempted  like  as  we  are," 
came  "  to  succor and  the  "  infirmities  of  the  flesh  "  were 


I^AST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


265 


overcoDie,  and  the  grace  of  God  was  conspicuously  mani- 
fested. 

On  the  evening  of  the  24th  of  Twelfth-month,  he  sank 
very  low,  but  rested  pretty  well  during  the  night.  The 
morning  of  the  25th,  he  was  exceedingly  prostrate.  His 
ph}  sician  came  in  at  nine  o'clock,  and  found  him  more 
feeble  and  wanting  in  vital  energy,  than  he  had  ever  been, 
and  candidly  told  him  that  if  his  system  could  not  be 
aroused,  he  could  not  continue  long  in  that  situation — 
probably  not  more  than  forty-eight  hours.  He  received 
the  information  with  perfect  calmness,  and,  with  heavenly 
sweetness  said,  "  I  know  it  to  be  so  from  my  feelings." 
His  great  composure  and  presence  of  mind  was  beyond  what 
those  around  him  could  command  ;  he  immediately  desired 
his  eldest  daughter  to  come  to  his  bedside,  and  told  her 
minutely  where  she  would  find  the  writing  materials,  and 
wished  her  to  write  and  inform  his  absent  children  of  his 
situation,  remarking,  "  that  they  need  not  be  taken  by  sur- 
prise." On  further  reflection,  he  concluded  to  have  a  tele- 
graph dispatch  sent  for  his  son  William,  who  resided  in 
Kansas,  saying,  "  that  the  letter  might  be  received  by  his 
family,  in  case  his  son  had  left  home,  on  the  summons  of 
the  telegram,  before  it  reached  its  destination;  and  that  ifc 
was  his  wish  for  him  to  come,  whether  he  lived  to  see  him 
or  not,  as  he  wished  him  for  one  of  the  executors  of  his 
estate."  After  giving  these  directions,  he  spent  much  of 
the  day  in  conversation  on  various  subjects,  with  one  of  his 
sons-in-law,  giving  frequent  evidence  that  he  was  in  the  en- 
joyment of  "  that  blessed  hope,  the  glorious  appearing  of 
the  great  God."  In  the  evening  he  bade  a  calm  and  most 
affectionate  farewell  to  his  sL-ier  M.  N.,  who  had  been  spend- 
ing a  few  days  with  him,  and  could  not  remain  longer  from 
18 


266 


LAST  DATS  AND  DECEASE. 


homo  ;  be  spoke  to  her  of  how  much  they  had  loved  each 
other  through  hfe,  and  now  in  his  last  hours  it  was  far  from 
being  diminished ;  he  then  desired  her  to  give  his  love  to 
many  of  bis  friends,  mentioning  them  by  name. 

The  general  state  of  bis  mind,  and  great  prevalence  of 
peace,  were  the  most  marked  features  to  be  observed ;  his 
faith  seemed  ever  present  with  him,  sure,  steadfast,  immov- 
able ;  "  for  it  was  founded  upon  a  Rock." 

He  raUied  on  the  26th,  and  by  the  time  his  three  young- 
est daughters  had  arrived,  the  prospect  of  his  immediate 
dissolution  was  removed.  It  was  the  first  time  that  any  of 
his  children  had  ever  returned  to  the  parental  nest  without 
being  met  by  him  at  the  gate,  and  welcomed  with  his  ac- 
customed tender,  affectionate  greeting  and  folded  in  his 
arms.  Long  after  he  was  enfeebled  by  disease,  he  would 
totter  forth  to  meet  them,  on  their  arrival  for  a  short  visit; 
but  this  was  forever  past,  and  now  they  sought  him  within 
the  walls  of  his  own  apartment,  and  there  received  his 
happy  smile,  finding  him  as  perfectly  natural  and  like  him-  , 
self,  as  though  this  life  was  long  before  him.  When  his 
son  and  daughter,  Wm.  H.  and  C.  E.  L.,  came  to  him,  he 
clasped  his  arms  around  them  and  said,  "  I  wish  to  bless 
the  good  name  of  the  Lord,  who  so  abundantly  blesses  me ; 
I  feel  very  comfortable  and  happy ;  I  can  not  say  that  I  at 
all  times  feel  this  special  favor,  but  I  am  very  peaceful,  and 
at  times  he  grants  me  especial  favors,  and  I  feel  His  love 
to  flow  through  my  heart,  0,  may  we  bless  and  magnify 
His  holy  name  1" 

On  the  30th,  he  dictated  the  following  letter  to  his 
valued  friend,  Thomas  Evans,  of  Philadelphia: 

My  Dear  Friend,  Thomas  Evans: — I  wish  to  oifer  thee  an- 
other, and  perhaps  a  last  salutation  of  brotherly  love,  sympathy 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE.  267 

and  remembrance  ;  being  now  entirely  confined  to  niy  room,  and 
unable  to  walk,  yet  am  mercifully  exempted  from  so  great  suffering 
as  is  frequently  the  lot  of  persons  afflicted  by  illness. 

My  decline  downward  appears  to  have  been  pretty  steady;  and 
althou<ili  1  have  been  more  comfortable  for  two  or  three  days  past, 
such  is  my  reduced  condition  that  my  spirit  might  take  its  flight  at 
any  time.  Through  the  great  kindness  and  love  of  our  God,  I 
have  felt  generally  peaceful,  and  am  at  times  permitted  to  experi- 
ence the  overflowings  of  love,  and  abounding  of  consolation  in  my 
heart.    Blessed  be  his  good  name  ! 

I  endeavor  to  fasten  my  faith  and  hope  on  our  own  only  Saviour, 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  fully  believing  that  all  depends  on  him,  and 
all  of  mercy,  for  '•  not  by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have 
done,"  etc  

Farewell,  my  dear  friend.  Write  to  me,  if  thou  canst  feel  like 
doino-  so.*  Salute  for  me  thy  dear  wife  and  son  [naming  several 
friends],  and  any  others  who  may  inquire.  Grace,  mercy  and  peace 
from  God  our  Father,  be  with  thee  and  thine,  and  with  our  friends 
thereaway. 

Elijah  Coffin. 

On  the  1st  of  First-month  18G2,  the  second  marriage 
of  his  eldest  daughter  took  place.  It  was  an  event  to 
which  Elijah  Coffin  had  looked  with  great  interest,  and  had 
desired  that  it  might  be  acconip]i.shed  before  "  his  depart- 
ure." He  insisted  that  it  should  not  be  deferred  on  ac- 
count of  his  declining  slate  and  apparently  near  approach 
to  death,  and  wished  that  none  of  the  family  should  remain 
with  him  during  the  time  of  the  meeting.  On  the  return 
of  the  married  pair  from  the  meeting,  they  repaired  imme- 
diately to  his  chamber ;  he  gave  them  a  cordial,  glowing 
welcome,  took  them  both  in  his  arms  and  kissed  them  most 
affectionate^,  and  said,  "  that  he  wished  the  choice  bless- 
ings of  Heaven  might  rest  upon  them — that  they  might 
spend  a  useful  and  happy  life  together — that  his  last 


»  Thomas  Evaas  waa  ia  very  feeble  health. 


268 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


earthly  wish  had  been  granted,  in  being  permitted  to  see 
this  day ;  and  now,  if  his  son  WilUam  (his  only  absent 
child)  should  come,  it  would  be  all  he  could  ask." 

He  had  heretofore  declined  to  have  watchers  with  him 
at  night,  as  he  could  take  no  medicines  to  be  administered, 
and  his  wife  and  nurse  not  quitting  his  chamber  either  day 
or  night,  they  gave  him  every  needful  attendance,  resting 
between  times.    On  the  evening  of  the  1st,  he  said,  that 
"  in  consideration  of  his  weakness  and  uncertainty  of  life 
having  become  so  great,  he  thought  it  was  best  to  have 
some  one  to  sit  by  his  bedside,"  and  named  the  friends 
whom  he  thoufrht  would  be  willinoj  to  aid  in  the  service, 
wishing  to  divide  the  time  in  a  way  that  no  one  person 
might  be  fatigued  or  exposed.    His  son  C.  F.  C,  watched 
with  him  first.    During  the  night  he  was  wakeful,  and  near 
midnight  entered  into  a  pleasant  conversation  ;  gave  direc- 
tions about  his  library,  desiring  "  it  preserved  for  the  use 
and  reference  of  his  children  and  grandchildren  during  the 
life  of  his  wife  ;  and  at  her  death,  to  be  divided  among  his 
children."    He  spoke  of  his  labors  in  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion, of  Sabbath  schools,  the  Bible  and  Tract  Societies,  etc., 
and  alluded  particularly  to  his  labor  in  connection  with 
Earlham  College  ;  of  his  "  often  going  there  through  cold 
and  heat,  storm  and  rain,  to  lecture — to  the  committee 
meetings,  etc.,  when  he  was  weak  and  in  poor  health,"  as 
"having  been  prompted  by  his  love  for  Christ" — that  he 
"  could  not  now  in  looking  back,  think  of  any  other  mo- 
tive that  influenced  him  to  do  such  labors:"  and  now,  says 
he,  "  in  the  retrospect  they  afford  me  unquoHijicd  sathf ac- 
tion, but  I  do  not  feel  that  they  afford  any  liope  for  sal- 
vation."   His  "  only  hope  was  through  the  precious  blood 
cf  Christ."    He  then  spoke  beautifully  and  fully  of  it, 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE.  269 

saying  "  some  object  to  set  value  by  it — /  look  for  salva- 
tion by  none  other — prefigured  by  the  sacrifices  of  the  law 
and  by  the  whole  old  dispensation,  it  is  not  our  business  to 
inquire,  tvhy  we  are  thus  saved,  but  thankfully  to  accept 
the  proffered  boon  in  humihty  and  confidence." 

He  desired  his  son  to  deliver  to  the  Sabbath  school,  of 
which  he  was  superintendent,  an  especial  message  of  love 
to  the  ofEcers,  teachers  and  students,  individually,"  adding, 
"  that  his  long-continued  interest  in  the  cause  of  Scriptural 
instruction  and  Sabbath  schools,  was  unabated  to  the  last ; 
and  those  with  whom  he  was  more  immediately  connected 
in  these  labors,  he  continued  especially  to  love  with  ardent 
affection."  In  speaking  of  the  Meeting  for  Sufierings,  of 
which  he  had  been  a  member  for  thirty-three  years,  he  said 

his  heart  was  nearly  united  in  love  to  all  its  members, 
and  he  wished  a  message  of  it  communicated  to  them ;  also 
to  the  various  committees  with  which  he  was  connected,  and 
to  the  officers  and  teachers  of  Earlham  College."  During 
the  same  night  he  said  to  his  son,  "  If  I  could  speak  to  the 
assembled  multitude  to  do  the  last  solemn  rites  for  me  at 
my  funeral,  I  would  proclaim  to  the  utmost  extent  of  my 
voice,  '  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest !  Praise  the  name  of 
the  Lord.'  " 

His  tenacity  of  life  was  so  great  that  his  days  were  pro- 
longed beyond  what  any  who  saw  him  could  account  for> 
and  he  was  held  to  earth,  until  time  wore  away  into  a 
month.  His  spells  of  sinking  and  reviving  continued,  and 
it  often  appeared  as  though  sunken  human  nature  could 
endure  no  longer,  and  the  "  sorrowing  band "  were  many 
times  gathered  to  his  bedside,  to  witness  the  lamp  of  life 
expire  ;  though  he  always  spoke  himself  of  having  "  no 
premonitions  of  the  near  approach  of  death." 


270  LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 

He  bore  ample  testimony  to  the  value  and  efficacy  of 
prayer,  and  to  the  fact,  that  God  hears  and  answers  the 
prayers  of  those  who  seek  him ;  speaking  feelingly  of  the 
precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  washing  away  all  sin  ;  and  it 
was  very  frequent  that  "  his  soul  drew  near  to  the  Lord," 
in  his  rich  daily  experience  of  his  Saviour's  love.  On  one 
of  these  occasions  he  supplicated  in  a  striking  manner,  for 
himself  and  his  wife  separatel}',  and  then  for  their  children  ; 
and  during  the  greater  part  of  one  night,  he  poured  forth 
a  remarkable  strain  of  thanksgiving  and  praise. 

Naturally  possessing  acute  nervous  sensibilities,  his  suf- 
ferings were  at  times  severe,  and  therefore  more  keenly 
felt,  than  is  the  case  with  most  persons ;  but  he  bore  them 
with  a  remarkable  degree  of  patience,  and  without  com- 
plaint. He  was  but  an  emaciated  skeleton,  and  the  distress 
arising  from  the  fleshless  condition  of  his  body,  appeared 
the  cause  of  more  suffering,  than  that  which  proceeded 
from  the  part  more  particularly  affected.  The  nature  of 
the  disease  previous  to  this,  had  at  times  subjected  him  to 
depression  of  spirits ;  then,  again,  he  would  be  quite  cheer- 
ful, but  as  it  is  said  of  one,  who  some  years  before  preceded 
him  into  eternity,  "at  no  time  could  the  chord  of  religion 
be  touched,  but  it  immediately  vibrated." 

He  often  gave  utterance  to  expressions  of  thankfulness, 
that  he  was  not  permitted  to  be  troubled  with  doubts  and 
fears ;  his  faith  in  the  efficacy  and  all-suflficiency  of  the 
atoning  blood  of  Christ  never  wavering,  even  amid  the 
darkest  scenes  of  suffering,  and  those  who  were  privileged 
to  attend  him,  were  indeed  witnesses  that  he  was  "  kept  by 
the  power  of  God,  through  faith  unto  salvation."  His 
mental  capacities,  instead  of  being  weakened  with  the 
weakness  of  the  body,  seemed  made  the  brighter  as  im- 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


271 


mortal  glories  opened  to  him,  and  he  neared  that  rest,  for 
which  he  each  day  gave  such  full  evidences,  he  was  so  emi- 
nently fitted  to  enter. 

His  son,  Wm.  H.  C,  arrived  on  the  3d  of  First-month. 
He  was  much  overjoyed  at  seeing  him,  and  clasping  his  arras 
about  his  neck,  said,  Now  my  last  prayer  in  reference  to 
the  things  of  this  earth,  is  answered."  After  this  he  had 
no  prayer  in  regard  to  the  things  of  time,  excepting  fur  a 
"  quiet  and  easy  departure  ;"  thanksgiving  and  praise  com- 
prising the  greater  part  of  what  he  said.  The  language 
was  particularly  applicable  to  him  :  "  Lord,  now  lettest  thou 
thy  servant  depart  in  peace."  All  his  children  were  now 
gathered  near  him  to  catch  the  dro[)pings  from  his  dying 
lips,  and  administer  to  his  comfort  as  best  they  could,  and 
he  very  many  times  expressed  the  comfort  it  gave  him,  to 
have  them  with  him,  and  spoke  of  it  as  "  one  of  the  Divine 
favors  for  which  he  felt  thankful,"  and  it  was  a  privilege 
for  which  they  can  not  be  sufficiently  grateful. 

His  prostration  continued  to  advance  each  day,  and 
about  two  weeks  before  his  close,  he  ceased  to  take  any 
solid  food  ;  his  only  subsistence  being  the  nutriment  derived 
from  an  occasional  spoonful  of  nourishing  liquid. 

His  mind  being  delightfully  quiet  and  peaceful,  his  indi- 
viduality was  preserved  to  his  latest  hour,  and  his  distin- 
guishing characteristics  remained  the  same ;  and  whenever 
his  prostration  was  not  too  great,  he  took  an  interest  in 
whatever  was  going  on  both  within  and  without.  He  re- 
called to  mind  the  kindness  of  one  who  was  once  a  faithful 
female  servant  in  the  household,  and  though  she  had  not 
been  in  employ  for  nearly  four  years,  he  wished  her  sent 
for,  and  brought  to  his  bedside,  expressed  to  her  his 
grateful  remembrance  of  her  services,  and  testified  his  re- 


272 


LAST  DATS  AND  DECEASE. 


gard  by  making  her  a  present.  He  did  not  omit  to  avow 
his  obligations  to  those  then  in  service,  in  the  same  manner; 
nor  did  he  ever  receive  from  them  the  smallest  attention, 
without  a  grateful  expression  and  nod  of  the  head.  He 
had  ample  time  to  give  directions  concerning  his  domestic 
and  common  engagements,  and  made  all  his  arrangements 
for  departing,  even  to  the  minutest  particulars,  with  the 
calmness  of  one  prepaiing  for  a  journey.  He  gave  all  his 
wishes  concerning  the  care  of  his  body  after  death ;  named 
the  friend  he  wished  to  assist  his  nurse  in  preparing  it  for 
burial ;  gave  directions  as  to  how  he  should  be  clothed,  etc. 
He  was  interested  that  a  family  lot  might  be  secured  in  a  piece 
of  ground  which  was  about  being  appropriated  for  cemetry 
purposes,  and  requested  that  his  estate  should  be  at  a  part 
of  the  expense ;  and  he  often  spoke  of  the  neatness  and 
order  of  the  Moravian  cemetry,  which  he  had  '  visited  in 
North  Carolina,  the  year  previous,  of  their  manner  of  in- 
terment, and  of  the  simple,  plain  tombstones,  as  a  model 
which  he  desired  to  have  followed  when  his  demise  should 
take  place.  These  requests  were  complied  with  by  his 
family  as  nearly  as  practicable. 

He  often  alluded  to  the  various  religious  engagements  in 
which  he  had  taken  an  active  part,  and  said,  "  they  afforded 
him  comfort  in  the  retrospect,"  and  his  interest  continued 
as  alive  in  the  Bible,  Tract,  and  other  objects  of  a  similar 
nature,  as  it  had  done  when  in  health,  and  was  unabated  to 
the  last ;  he  frequently  inquired  of  the  progress  of  these 
works,  but  in  conversing  upon  these  subjects,  he  repeated 
over  and  over  again,  that  "  it  was  nut  by  works  of  right- 
eousness which  he  had  done,  but  by  the  mercy  of  God, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  that  he  looked  for  salva- 
tion."   He  spoke  of  "  his  love  for  Christ,  constraining  him 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE, 


273 


to  feel  a  continued  interest  in  all  labors  which  tended  to 
promote  his  kingdom  among  men,"  saying,  "  if  time  to 
him  should  be  but  for  an  hour,  he  could  not  but  feel  just 
the  same  interest  that  he  had  done."  He  evinced  this 
practically,  by  having  subscriptions  forwarded  for  the  Mis- 
sionary Herald,  and  some  othei-  religious  periodicals  of  the 
same  character ;  and  when  they  came  to  hand,  he  desired 
them,  with  the  Reports  of  Foreign  Missions,  read  each  day 
to  him,  that  he  might  keep  informed  of  the  general  spread 
of  Christianity  in  different  parts  of  the  earth. 

At  one  time  he  said,  that  "  in  reviewing  his  past  life,  he 
felt  that  he  had  not  at  all  times  spoken  for  his  Saviour 
when  it  would  have  been  proper  for  him  to  have  done  so ; 
that  in  his  self-examinations,  he  had  often  searched  to  see 
whether  he  was  called  to  the  ministry,  but  after  carefully 
and  prayerfully  doing  so,  he  had  concluded  years  since, 
that  his  religious  labors  run  in  arother  channel,  and  that 
this  had  caused  him  to  be  too  backward  in  speaking  in 
public  assemblies  of  his  Saviour  ;  he  wished  all  to  do  their 
duty  in  this  respect,  as  he  felt  that  he  had  suffered  a  loss 
for  not  more  fully  doing  his." 

He  did  not  feel  in  his  retrospect  of  life  that  its  pilgrim- 
age journey  had  been  a  "  dreary  waste,"  a  "  gloomy  past ;" 
and  that  misery  exceeds  happiness  here  below ;  he  had 
been  "  diligent  in  business,  fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the 
Lord ;"  and  now  as  he  turned  back  the  pages  of  the  past, 
he  saw  in  its  review  that  "goodness and  mercy  had  followed 
him  all  the  days  of  his  life  and  in  reference  to  this  he 
said  many  times,  "  This  world  is  a  beautiful  one,  and  has 
been  a  joyous  one  to  me,  and  I  have  no  anxiety  to  leave 
it ;  but  feel  ready  at  my  Master's  will,  and  have  full  (kith 
that  the  transition  will  be  to  one  of  unspeakable  glory." 


274 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


It  was  oftentimes  very  touching  to  witness  the  manifes- 
tations of  love  and  sympathy  of  his  numerous  friends  who 
visited  him.  There  are  sorrows  which  do  not  find  utterance 
in  words.  The  touching  conduct  of  the  friends  of  Job,  is  a 
beautiful  illustration  of  this.  Many  came,  who,  like  them, 
were  so  overcome  at  his  altered  appearance,  and  the  un- 
mistakable evidences  that  weeks  and  days  were  no  longer 
his,  that  they  "  wept  "  and  "  sat  down  with  him,  and  spake 
not  a  word."  The  different  members  of  his  family  will 
ever  hold  them  in  grateful  remembrance.  Once  after  his 
voice  had  grown  so  faint  that  he  could  not  speak  audibly, 
he  whispered  in  the  ear  of  one  of  his  sons,  "  say  to  those 
in  the  room  that  ni}'  heart  is  full,  and  if  my  voice  would 
admit  of  it,  I  could  pray  and  utter  praises  aloud."  Through- 
out his  illness  his  heart  overflowed  with  gratitude  at  the 
kindness  of  his  friends,  and  it  was  affecting  to  observe  his 
unwillingness  that  any  should  go  away  without  being  ad- 
mitted into  his  chamber,  which  was  often  the  case,  for  dur- 
ing the  last  month,  so  numerous  were  the  calls,  and  so 
slender  was  the  "  silver  chord  "  of  Hfe,  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  gratify  all  with  seeing  him,  without  danger  of  [iro- 
ducing  serious  results. 

We  can  not  enter  into  a  detailed  account  of  all  that  he 
said ;  there  was  much  that  we  can  not  repeat.  His  short 
addresses  and  private  counsels  both  to  his  family  and 
friends,  will  not  be  lost  in  the  memories  of  those  who  re- 
ceived them ;  he  many  times  expressed  regrets  that  his 
bodily  weakness  was  so  great  that  it  would  not  admit  of 
more  religious  conmiunion  with  them  ;  it  was  when  dwell- 
ing upon  this,  that  he  gave  the  touching  message  to  be 
delivered  at  his  funeral.  lie  would  clasp  his  arms  about 
the  necks  of  those  with  whom  he  had  been  associated  in 


LAST  DAYS  AST)  DECEASE, 


275 


religious  and  social  circles,  und  in  tho  sweetest  manner  give 
such  [)arting  salutations  and  afIt;ctionate  leave-takings, 
kissing  tiiem  repeatedly  with  child-like  affection,  that  none 
present  cuuld  restrain  their  tears.  He  almost  daily  said 
to  his  friends  of  all  denominations,  that  "  if  they  felt  the 
spirit  of  prayer,  he  hoped  they  would  not  withhold,"  and 
almost  as  often,  prayer  flowed  through  his  chamber. 

He  entertained  a  warm  affection  for  Christians  of  other 
denominations,  and  as  he  had  ever  been  ready  to  co-operate 
with  them  in  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom, 
the  feeling  grew  upon  him  to  the  last.  Among  his  last 
utterances,  he  said :  "  I  love  all  those  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  because  they  love  him."  Many  of  the  sweetest 
seasons  of  his  social  religious  communion,  during  these  last 
days,  were  with  "  his  brethren  "  not  in  religious  member- 
ship with  himself  To  one,  whose  association  and  affection- 
ate interest  he  very  much  prized,  and  who  several  times 
visited  him,  he  spoke  of  "  the  constant  and  great  peace  he 
enjoyed ;  that  he  knew  not  what  was  before  him,  and  had 
no  premonition  of  the  time  when  he  would  be  called  to  ex- 
change worlds ;  but  that  his  friends  would  some  morning 
hear  that  he  was  gone  ;  that  persons  in  his  condition  were 
frequently  troubled  with  doubts  and  fears ;  but  this  was 
not  the  case  with  him ;  all  was  well ;  he  enjoyed  a  strong 
sweet  peace,  and  confidence  in  God."  The  same  visitor, 
in  relating  an  account  of  one  of  his  visits  to  Elijah  Coffin, 
in  company  with  a  fellow  church-member,  says :  "  His  lan- 
guage reminded  me  of  that  used'by  the  Psalmist,  when  he 
said,  '  when  my  mind  was  stayed  upon  the  Lord,  my  soul 
was  kept  in  perfect  peace,  because  I  trusted  in  him ;'  that 
he  seeme  l  greatly  to  rejoi.jo  in  the  blessed  hope  of  a  glorious 
immortality,  which  he  most  fully  believed  in  ;  and  this, 
said  he,  with  strong  emphasis,  '  is  not  because  of  any  merit 


276 


I 

LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


of  my  own,  not  by  works  of  righteousness  that  I  have  done 
but  by  faith  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ claiming  to  be 
saved  by  grace,  through  faith  in  the  atonement,  through 
the  blood  in  Christ,  '  in  whom  we  have  redemption,  the 
forgiveness  of  sins,'  and  a  blessed  hope  of  everlasting  life. 
While  with  him,  he  said  to  us,  that  if  either  of  us  felt  like 
exercising  in  prayer  or  exhortation,  it  would  be  very  ac- 
ceptable both  to  himself  and  his  family.  We  knelt  by  his 
side,  and  while  petitioning  the  Throne  of  Grace,  he  seemed 
fervently  engaged,  and  taking  hold  of  my  hand,  pressed  it 
warmly,  and  at  the  close  responded  with  a  hearty  amen ! 
I  truly  felt  that  his  sick  chamber  was  a  most  heavenly 
place,  and  that  we  did  there  indeed  'sit  together  in  heav- 
enly places  in  Christ  Jesus;'  and,  while  engaging  in  prayer, 
that  I  realized 

'  Heaven  came  down  our  souls  to  greet, 
While  glory  crowned  the  mercy  seat.' 

"  On  saying  that  I  must  leave  him  and  go  to  our  meet- 
ing (love  feast),  he  spoke  to  me  of  his  great  love  for  all 
true  followers  of  our  Saviour ;  how  near  to  his  heart  were 
all  such  of  every  name,  of  the  Christian  fellowship  and 
pleasure  it  had  been  to  him  to  enjoy  an  acquaintance  with 
many  members  of  our  church,  and  that  he  warmly  greeted 
them  as  followers  of  one  common  Lord,  and  wished  to  be 
kindly  remembered  to  them  all  on  that  occasion.  In  com- 
pliance with  his  request,  I  spoke  in  the  meeting  of  my 
visit,  stating  that  I  had  just  left  him,  a  dear  friend,  whom 
we  jdl  knew  and  loved,  and  was  now  nearing  the  gates  of 
death ;  that  he  who  was  yet  among  us,  would  perhaps,  in 
a  few  hours,  be  treading  the  gold-paved  streets,  with  the 
white-robed  and  sanctified  above,  and  looking  away  from 
the  'valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,'  he  warmly  greeted 
them,  and  bid  them  God-speed." 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


277 


Near  the  close  of  the  meeting,  Rev.  A.  Eddy,  the  pre- 
siding elder,  reverted  to  what  had  been  said,  and  spoke  of 
his  personal  intercourse  with  him,  and  called  upon  the 
meeting  to  notice  "that  when  Elijah  Coffin  was  taken 
away,  a  great  shining  light  would  be  gone  from  our  midst, 
and  taken  from  the  moral  and  spiritual  world ;  that  they 
ought  to  be  thankful  that  they  had  had  that  light  for  a 
season,  and  also  how  we  should  strive  to  profit  thereby, 
and  emulate  his  noble  Christian  example." 

After  his  decease,  the  same  friend  of  the  family  says : 
"  I  am  glad  that  it  was  for  a  short  time  my  privilege  to 
enjoy  communion  and  Christian  fellowship  with  your  ex- 
cellent parent.  I  shall  ever  remember  with  grateful  feelings 
his  affectionate  Christian  kindness  in  all  our  intercourse ; 
'let  me  die  the  death  of  the  righteous — let  my  last  end  be 
like  his.'  " 

One  day,  a  dear  Christian  lady,  on  coming  from  his 
chamber,  exclaimed  :  "  What  a  glorious  state  he  is  in  ! — 
all  ready  and  sfeinding  on  the  banks  of  deliverance  !"  He 
had  had  some  sweet  conversation  with  her,  but  had  for- 
gotten, when  she  left  his  room,  to  make  his  usual  request  of 
her,  which  he  aslced  of  almost  all  who  visited  him,  "to  pray 
for  him,  that  he  might  have  a  quiet  and  easy  departure," 
and  he  sent  a  daughter  hurriedly  to  overtake  her,  and  re- 
quest her  to  remember  him  in  her  prayers  to  this  efiect. 

The  occasion  of  this  oft-repeated  request,  undoubtedly, 
arose  from  a  strong  natural  fear  of  the  dying\struggle ;  for 
while  "  there  was  no  doubt  resting  upon  his  future,"  he  had 
the  same  timid  shrinking  from  the  final  passage  which  is 
common  to  all  human  nature.  It  may  be  counted  as  an 
especial  blessing  that  ho  had  no  premonition  of  the  time 
when  he  would  "  take  his  flight,"  and  that  he  was  enabled 
cheerfully  to  "  hope  and  quietly  wait ;"  for  when  the  con- 


278 


LAST  DATS  AXD  DECEASE. 


llict  came,  he  was  most  gently  dealt  with,  and  the  King  of 
Terrors  was  disarmed  of  his  sting. 

One  of  the  incidents  of  his  last  lingering  days  was  his 
manifested  love  for  singing.  He  h;id  long  been  an  ardent 
lover  of  hymns  and  religious  poetry,  and  during  the  last 
year  of  his  life  this  greatly  increased;  he  would  frequently 
repeat  portions  of  such  selections  as  he  was  particularly 
partial  to,  and  for  a  few  months  before  his  decease,  he 
almost  daily  requested  his  wife  to  read  alternate  verses 
from  the  Union  Prayer  Meeting  Hymns,  of  such  portions 
as  he  especially  enjoyed.  His  sentiments  in  reference  to 
singing  were  the  same  as  held  by  the  early  members  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  and  expressed  by  Robert  Barclay, 
*'  that  we  confess  it  to  be  a  part  of  God's  worship,  and  very 
sweet  and  refreshing  when  it  proceeds  from  a  true  sense  of 
God's  love  in  the  heart ;"  and  as  the  close  of  his  days 
drew  nigh,  and  he  was  more  fully  prepared  for  another 
sphere,  he  many  times  requested  his  two  youngest  daugh- 
ters to  sing  to  him — generally  making  the  selection  of 
hymns  himself.  On  one  occasion  he  asked  them  to  sing 
the  hymn 

"  There  is  a  fountain  filled  with  blood." 

While  they  sang  together,  his  uplifted  countenance  gave 
evidence  that  he  felt  the  words  to  be  particularly  expressive 
of  his  feelings.  At  another  time  he  was  melted  with  ten- 
derness and  emotion,  when  they  had  sung  for  him  his  favorite 
hymn : 

"  How  sweet  the  name  of  Jesus  sounds 
In  a  believer's  l  arl 
It  soothes  his  sorrows,  lieala  his  wounds, 
And  drives  away  Lis  fear. 

"  It  makes  the  wounded  spirit  whole, 
And  calms  the  tri>u  led  breist; 
'Tis  manna  to  the  hungry  soul. 
And  to  the  weary,  teat. 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


279 


"  Dear  name!  the  I'ock  on  which  I  linild — 
My  shield  and  hidinj^-place; 
My  never-failing  treasury,  filled 
With  boundless  stores  of  grace. 

"  Weak  is  the  effort  of  my  heart  , 
And  cold  my  warmest  thoughts: 
But  when  I  see  thee  as  thou  art, 
I  '11  praise  thee  as  I  ought. 

"  Till  then  I  would  thy  love  proclaim 

With  every  fleeting  breath;  ^ 
And  may  the  music  of  thy  name 
Refresh  ray  soul  in  deaih." 

On  Third-day  afternoon,  the  21st  of  First-month,  be- 
tween five  and  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  he  passed 
through  two  paroxysms  of  intense  suffering,  attended  with 
acute  pain  and  difficulty  of  bre  ithing.  After  tliese  had 
passed  over,  he  continued  for  several  hours  in  much  physical 
anguish,  unable  to  rest  in  any  position,  and  he  could  not 
be  changed  without  an  increase  of  his  distress,  as  the 
nervous  sensibility  of  his  now  fleshless  frame  was  extreme. 
For  several  days  his  stomach  had  been  powerless  to  receive 
nourishment,  and  no  alleviating  medicines  could  be  given 
to  control  the  suffering.  Through  this  trying  dis[)eiisation 
there  was  not  a  melancholy  utterance  of  impatience  or  com- 
plaint; but,  with  his  mind  retaining  its  perfect  vigor,  he 
bore  it,  "waiting  to  be  delivered."  It  was  the  great 
struggle  between  life  and  death — the  dividing  asunder  of 
soul  and  body.  On  one  of  his  sons  repeating  to  him  the 
text,  "  Though  I  walk  through  the  valley  and  shadow  of 
death,  I  will  fear  no  evil,  for  thou  art  with  me,"  he  gave 
an  expressive  look,  and  responded  by  nodding  his  head. 
He  fref{uently  inquired  whether  it  was  thought  he  was 
dying,  and  said :  "  It  would  be  a  great  comfort  to  him  now 
to  depart  and  be  with  Christ."'  He  had,  during  his  last 
week,  frequently  expressed  this  wish,  and  several  times 


Ill-,  'h^v- 


280 


LAST  DAYS  AND  DECEASE. 


asked  his  family,  "If  they  could  not  unite  with  him  in 
prayer,  that  he  might  be  released."  A  medical  attendant 
coming  into  his  room  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
he  inquired  of  him  in  reference  of  some  external  applica- 
tion for  the  relief  of  his  agony,  and  asked  him  to  sit  by 
him  until  he  died. 

At  midnight  it  appeared  as  though  his  summons  had 
come ;  his  extremities  grew  cold,  and  his  breathing  short 
and  labored.  He  asked  again  if  he  were  not  dying,  and 
being  told  bv  a  friend  who  had  remained  with  him,  that  he 
thought  he  would  soon  exchange  this  suffering  tabernacle 
for  one  of  those  glorious  mansions  prepared  by  our  Lord 
for  those  who  love  him,  he  replied :  "  0,  yes !  I  know  it, 
but  there  may  be  further  suffering  3'et.''  Soon  after  this, 
his  attendants  were  changing  his  position,  when  he  at  once 
remarked  :  "  There,  you  have  it.  How  delightful  I  feel ! 
So  comfortable !  I  have  all  the  time  believed  there  would 
be  a  season  of  rest  for  me  between  these  terrible  struggles 
and  my  final  release,  and  now  I  am  in  it.  Bless  the  good 
name  of  the  Lord  for  it !"  Placing  his  hand  on  the  seat 
of  acute  pain,  he  said  :  "  I  do  not  feel  that  it  is  cured,  but 
it  is  removed.  I  believe  the  pain  of  death  will  now  be 
taken  away,  and  that  I  shall  depart  quietly  and  easily." 
He  did  not  appear  to  suffer  after  this,  though  he  became 
restless  toward  morning,  and  about  five  o'clock  a.  m.,  on 
being  asked  if  he  was  in  pain,  he  answered  :  "Not  in  pain, 
but  I  feel  very  weak,  and  an  uncomfortable  sensation."  He 
had  entered  the  swelling  tide  of  the  dark  river,  and  find- 
ing the  everlasting  arms  and  the  sure  rock  underneath, 
and  the  "rod  and  the  staff"  of  Him  who  once  passed 
through,  for  his  support,  the  sting  of  death  was  so  far  re- 
moved from  him,  that  ho  could  hardly  distinguish  himself 
that  he  was  passing  "  over  to  the  other  side,"  and  that  the 


THE  DECEASE. 


281 


time  of  his  departure  had  come.  With  a  pleasant  smile  he 
looked  up,  not  three  hours  before  his  close,  and  said :  "  I 
can  not  tell  from  my  own  feelings  that  I  am  dying ;  I  feel 
quite  bright." 

He  was  perfectly  rational,  and  calmly  marked  the  pro- 
gress of  dissolution  going  on  within  his  frame,  asking 
frequently  of  those  around  him,  "How  lonrf  they  thought 
he  would  last."  Thirty  minutes  before  his  close,  he  again 
inquired  of  his  son-in-law  how  long  he  would  probably  live, 
saying :  "  I  should  be  very  glad  to  be  released."  Being 
told  he  thought  it  would  not  be  long,  he  replied:  "I  love 
you  all  ver?/  mucJi^  and  feel  grateful  to  you  for  your  kind- 
ness to  me ;"  and  his  testimony  of  affection  and  grateful- 
ness was  closed  upon  earth  forever. 

He  afterward  asked  to  be  raised  in  a  reclining  position. 
Not  ten  minutes  before  his  close,  he  gave  one  of  his  sons  a 
bright  look  of  recognition  by  his  usual  nod  of  the  head — 
then  there  sat  upon  his  countenance  an  expression  of  calm 
joy,  and  his  breath  grew  softer  and  fainter,  until  twenty 
minutes  past  eight  a.  m.  it  died  away,  without  a  sigh  or  a 
struggle. 

"  How  blest  the  righteous  when  he  diesi 

When  sinks  a  weaiy  soul  to  rest, 
How  mildly  beam  the  closing  eyes, 

How  gently  heares  the  expiring  breastl" 

Not  a  contraction  of  a  muscle  indicated  the  slightest 
suffering — the  victory  was  won  over  the  last  enemy — his 
prayers  for  a  quiet  and  easy  departure  were  mercifully 
answered  ;  setting  another  seal  to  the  promise,  "  Whatsoever 
ye  shall  ask  in  my  name,  that  will  I  do."  Infinite  Mercy 
presided  over  those  solemn  moments — the  *  promised  Com- 
forter '  was  there. 

"Well  might  the  Wail  of  earthly  woe  be  hushed." 

18 


282 


FUNERAL. 


'  '  Tears  befit  earth's  partings ;'  but  the  voice  of  lamenta- 
tion was  not  heard,  "amid  the  '  holy  quiet '  which  '  reigned 
around/  as  his  unfettered  soul  entei'ed  its  eternal  home  of 
"  unspeakable  glory,"  which  had  been  its  joy  to  anticipate, 
and  to  receive  that  which  the  Lord  hath  promised  to  them 
that  love  him — even  the  "  crown  of  life." 

Thus  'he  was  gathered  unto  his  people,'  like  Jacob  of 
old,  with  his  intellect  bright,  and  in  the  bosom  of  his  fam- 
ily. He  bad  fallen  asleep  amid  an  earthly  career  of  use-  . 
fulness  and  self  denying  exertion,  for  the  benefit  of  his  fel- 
low-men. "  Well  done  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  en- 
ter thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

The  day  for  the  funeral  was  fixed  on  Sixth-day  morn- 
ing, the  24th  of  First-month,  1862.  It  was  the  first 
interment  in  a  newly  purchased  cemetery,  adjoining  the 
grounds  of  Earlham  College,  and  bearing  its  name.  Says 
one  :  "  It  is  most  fitting  that  his  last  resting  place  should 
be  so  near  the  scenes  in  which  he  was  wont  to  participate 
with  such  interest.  That  *  lone  grave '  will  receive  many 
a  pilgrim  visit  from  teacher  and  student  of  Earlham." 

A  citizen  was  requested  to  call  upon  the  family  and  in- 
formed them  that  bis  death  was  felt  as  an  afflictive  public 
liereavement,  and  as  a  token  of  the  estimation  in  which  the 
departed  was  held,  many  citizens  proposed  that  the  places 
of  business,  in  the  streets  through  which  the  procession 
should  pass,  might  be  closed,  should  the  proposition  prove 
acceptable  to  them.  It  was  most  gratifying  to  receive  so 
substantial  a  proof  that  he  was  thus  revered  by  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  town  who  knew  him,  and  that  they  were  ready 
to  so  honor  the  deceased ;  but  the  surviving  relatives  not 
wishing  for  any  unnecessary  ostentation  to  be  made  in  the 
manner  of  performing  the  last  solemn  service,  did  not  ad- 
vise that  a  united  action  of  the  citizens  should  be  taken  j 


PUNERAI,. 


283 


but  left  them  to  act  in  the  matter  as  they  deemed  best ; 
and  many  of  the  closed  windows  of  the  houses  and  shops 
in  the  line  of  the  procession,  gave  memorable  evidence  of 
the  affectionate  esteem  and  high  regard  in  which  Elijah 
Coffin  was  held. 

The  interment  was  attended  by  a  great  concourse  of  peo- 
ple from  all  parts  of  the  county,  in  which  he  resided,  of  all 
classes,  and  almost  every  religious  denomination.  One  of 
the  public  papers,  in  a  notice  of  it,  spoke  of  it  as  being 
the  largest,  but  one,  that  ever  had  taken  place  in  that 
city. 

Previous  to  the  time  for  the  funeral,  the  family,  with  a 
few  particular  friends,  sat  for  an  hour  in  private,  around 
the  precious  remains.  Several  short  addresses  were  made, 
which  were  touchingly  applicable  to  so  sacred  a  moment ; 
then  they  took  their  last  sad  parting, 

"  To'yield  the  precious  gift 
  to  the  silent  grave." 

After  which  the  remains  were  taken  to  Friends'  meetins:- 
house,  and  a  Meeting  for  Keligious  Worship  was  held. 
When  all  were  convened,  and  a  perfound  silence  prevailed^ 
his  son  Charles  arose,  and  in  a  clear  impressive  manner 
transmitted  the  fallowing  message,  which  his  beloved  father 
had  requested  him  to  deliver  on  that  occasion : 

"That  he  wished  it  communicated  to  the  Church  of 
which  he  was  a  member,  to  other  personal  friends  and  to  a 
large  number  of  acquaintances,  that  his  heart  overflowed 
with  love  to  them ;  that  he  would  have  rejoiced  to  have 
had  some  religious  conversation  with  them,  individually, 
during  his  illness ;  but  was  unable,  from  extreme  bodily 
weakness  to  see  many  of  them,  or  to  have  all  that  religi- 
ous intercourse  with  them  which  he  desired  to  have  had — 


284  FUNERAL. 

that  his  heart  was  filled  with  love  to  them,  and  to  his  fel- 
low-men." C.  F.  C  added,  "  on  another  occasion  he 
said,  if  he  could  speak  to  the  assembled  multitude  to  do 
the  last  solemn  rites  for  him  at  his  funeral,  he  would  pro- 
claim to  the  utmost  extent  of  his  voice,  '  Glory  to  God  in 
the  highest.'    '  Praise  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  " 

The  '  clay  tenement '  was  then  in  the  midst  of  the  "  as- 
sembled multitude,"  and  when  his  dying  message  fell  upon 
their  ears,  as  though  'he  being  dead,  yet  speaketh,'  it 
did  not  fail  to  produce  a  solemn  impression. 

Several  appropriate  discourses  were  offered,  and  the  re- 
mains were  followed  to  the  cemetery  by  a  procession  of  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  private  carriages,  accompanied  by 
quite  a  number  on  horseback,  and  some  on  foot,  who  of 
their  own  accord  assembled  to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  affec- 
tionate respect  to  his  memory.  The  students  of  Earlham 
College  also  walked  to  the  spot.  A  short  discourse  and  an 
impressive  prayer  were  offered  at  the  last  resting-place,  and 
the  sad  mourners  dispersed. 

It  is  written,  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the 
Lord,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ;  and  their  works 
do  follow  them."  Christ  also  beautifully  unfolded  to  us,  on 
the  illustrious  occasion  when  he  visited  the  "  house  of  grief," 
that  they  shall  live  again :  "  I  am  the  resurrection  and  the 
life ;  he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet 
shall  he  live." 


REMINISCENCE 

OF 

ELIJAH  COFFIN. 


BY  fflS  SON  CHARLES  F.  COFFIN. 


"He  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 


My  beloved  father  and  myself  were  closely  associated  in  life. 
In  addition  to  the  natural  ties  which  bound  us  together,  I  was 
taken  from  school  at  an  early  age  (when  about  thirteen),  and 
brought  up  in  business  under  his  immediate  care.  I  was  his  asso- 
ciate and  companion,  and  was  frequently  called  upon  to  render  him 
assistance  in  carrying  forward  his  various  religious  engagements. 
Perhaps  no  other  person,  excej^  my  dear  mother,  had  better  op- 
portunity thoroughly  to  know  him.  Of  an  open  and  confiding 
disposition,  he  had  few  secrets  to  which  I  had  not  access.  I  loved 
him  with  a  deep  and  ardent  affection.  I  venerate  his  memory,  and 
feel  a  pleasure  in  preparing  the  following  sketch  for  the  benefit  of 
his  children  and  grandchildren.  It  may  be  that  the  eficct  of  hia 
example  and  good  works  will  be  felt  to  a  later  generation.  In  the 
preparation  of  this  sketch,  I  have  confined  myself  almost  wholly  to 
matters  within  my  own  recollection.  Many  things  might  be  said 
of  his  early  life,  but  of  this  his  own  short  account  must  suffice. 
Of  his  last  sickness  and  death — a  period  never  to  be  forgotten  by 
those  who  had  the  privilege  of  being  with  him — I  have  left  the 
preparation  of  the  account  to  that  loved  sister  who  prepared  hi^s 
Journal  for  the  press.  The  following  reminiscence  is  written  with 
freedom  and  fullness, /or  the  family ;  much  more  so  than  it  would 
have  been  if  intended  for  more'general  circulation.  I  feel  it  to 
have  been  a  blessing,  and  a  privilege  to  have  had  such  a  father,  and 
desire  for  myself,  and  for  all  his  descendants,  that  we  may  emulate 
his  example,  and  above  all,  be  partakers  of  like  precious  faith,  so 
that  we  too  may  be  made  meet  to  be  partakers  with  the  saints  in 

glory.    C.  F.  C. 

^   Eleventh-month,  1862. 


REMINISCENCE   OF  MY  FATHER. 


BY  CHARLES  F.  COFFIN. 


My  beloved  father  was  an  active,  sprightly  man,  full  six  feet 
high,  spare,  and  weighing  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds ; 
very  erect,  neat  in  his  personal  habits  and  appearance,  of  nerv- 
ous temperament,  and  very  active  mind,  full  of  original  concep- 
tions, and  apt  to  carry  out  what  he  undertook.  With  a  health- 
ful, but  delicate  organization;  easily  overcome  and  made  sick, 
unequal  to  great  exposure,  or  to  irregularity  in  food,  sleep,  etc. 
Of  extreme  cautiousness  in  all  pecuniary  enterprises,  of  very  ex- 
act, methodical  and  careful  habit,  having  a  place  for  everything, 
and  keeping  everything  in  its  place;"  of  good  mechanical  taste, 
and  skill  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  do  a  little  job  of  repairing 
or  improvement  about  the  house,  or  to  make  almost  any  small 
needful  article.  Naturally  of  excitable  temper,  and  easily  pro- 
voked, which  was  much  restrained  by  Divine  grace,  giving  him  a 
benignant  and  sweet  expression  of  countenance,  generally  meeting 
you  with  a  smile;  affable  and  courteous;  diligent  in  business  and 
constant  in  his  application  to  some  useful  object ;  taking  great  delight 
in  literary  pursuits.  These  characteristics  never  failed  him.  His 
strength,  until  his  final  sickness,  remained  near  the  same.  His 
hair  had  become  somewhat  gray,  but  his  tall,  erect,  manly  form 
continued  to  be  quite  marked,  and  his  step  active  and  elastic. 

His  opportunities  for  early  education  were  not  good,  but  his  in- 
domitable perseverance  and  great  thirst  for  knowledge  had  enabled 
him  to  make  amends  for  this.  I  have  often  heard  him  speak  of  study- 
ing grammar  while  plowing,  leaving  his  book  in  the  fence  corners 
while  he  crossed  the  field  and  returned;  and  occupying  every  spare 
moment,  morning,  noon  and  night,  in  reading  and  study.  By  this 
means  he  acquired  a  good  English  education  early  in  life,  and  was 
quite  superior  to  most  of  those  around  him  in  literary  acquire- 
ments.   He  commenced  teaching  school  when  arrived  at  the  age 


BEMINISCENCE, 


287 


of  about  nineteen,  and  continued  in  that  employment,  with  some 
intermissions,  until  several  years  after  his  marriage. 

My  parents  removed  to  Indiana  in  the  Ninth-month,  1824.  They 
sold  their  SBcall  form  ia  North  Carolina,  at  a  low  price,  and  when 
they  arrived  in  this  -State,  had  a  horse,  a  small  amount  of  household 
property,  and  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  money.  They 
first  settled  in  a  small  cabin  on  the  banks  of  the  west  fork  of  White- 
water, near  where  tlie  canal  mills,  in  the  village  of  Milton,  now 
stand.  I  have  often  heard  them  speak  of  the  loneliness  they  felt 
in  finding  themselves  strangers  in  a  strange  land^  all  around  them 
were  new  settlers,  with  but  few  of  the  comforts  of  life,  which  could 
not  at  the  time  be  readily  procured ;  and  having  to  labor  severely 
in  clearing  of  the  trees,  opening  farms,  and  preparing  themselves 
homes.  The  £rst  five  iuontlis  were  spent  in  a  log  cabin  about  twenty 
feet  square,  with  no  window  and  but  one  door^  the  only  opportu- 
nity to  read  duricg  the  long  winter  evenings,  being  by  the  light  of 
a  large  wood  fire.  It  appeared  to  be  a  poor  place  for  the  cultiva- 
tion of  education,  intelligence  and  refineiaent.  But  the  country 
was  fertile  and  pro-mising,  emigration  was  setting  rapidly  in,  many 
©f  the  new  seitlers  being  meiabers  of  our  religious  Society — kind- 
ness and  hopitality  prevailed.  Of  course,  in  such  a  chaotic  con- 
dition of  civil  and  religious  society,  an  active-minded  man  like  my 
dear  father,  found  an  ample  field  of  labor,  and  was  soon  known  as  a 
useful  and  influential  man,  both  in  the  public  and  in  his  own  religi- 
ous Society.  But  there  were  hardships  connected  with  the  early 
settlement,  to  which  his  bodily  strength  was  scarcely  equal,  and  he 
was  soon  attacked  with  fever,  which  confined  him  to  his  house  for 
six  weeks.  Lacking  all  the  comforts  requisite  for  a  protracted  case 
ef  sickness,  feeble  and  emaciated,  it  is  not  surprising  that  he  felt 
greatly  discouraged,  and  often  looked  back  with  an  anxious  wish 
to  his  native  land.  But  he  had  left  that  from  conscientious  mo- 
tives, and  bravely  meeting  the  troubles  he  encountered,  he  main- 
tained his  pofiition  where  he  had  selected  a  home.  He  purchased 
about  forty  acres  of  fertile  land,  erected  a  comfortable  log  dwelling 
thereon,  and  opened  a  school,  in  which  many  persons  who  are  now 
past  middle-age  obtained  their  earliest  education.  lie  continued 
teaching  until  the  year  1828;  and  there  has  always  existed  between 
him  and  his  scholars  of  that  period,  many  of  whom  are  now  the 


288 


REMIiS'lSCENeE. 


most  useful  of  citizens  and  members  of  our  religious  Society,  a  bond 
of  affection  wliich  nothing  ever  severed. 

As  a  teacher,  he  was  thorough  and  efficient,  quite  in  advance  of 
most  teachers  around  him.  He  mingled  freely  with  his  scholars, 
and  joined  in  their  sports,  the  liveliest  of  the  lively ;  few  could 
exceed  him  in  the  race,  the  game  of  ball,  or  other  manly  sports. 
He  ruled  by  kindness;  but  maintained  excellent  order,  and  trained 
his  scholars  to  unqualified  obedience.  The  writer's  first  school- 
days were  spent  under  my  beloved  father,  and  he  still  recollects  the 
enthusiastic  interest  the  teacher  felt  in  all  his  scholars,  and  how 
earnestly  he  devoted  himself  to  their  improvement ;  how  kind, 
loving  and  popular  he  was ;  and  how  thoroughly  he  taught  them 
in  such  branches  as  he  undertook  to  teach.  He  often  spoke  of  the 
time  he  spent  in  teaching  as  having  been  profitable  to  him.  The 
occupation  gave  him  a  thoroughness  in  education,  and  a  critical 
care  in  composition,  penmanship,  etc.,  ■which  were,  in  after  life, 
eminently  useful  to  him.  But,  more  than  all,  it  gave  him  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  wants  of  the  young,  and  caused  that  fellow  feeling  and  - 
sympathy  with  them  which,  in  after  years,  made  every  young 
person  who  approached  him  meet  that_hearty  welcome  and  cordial 
greeting  which  so  much  attached  that  class  to  him. 

To  his  experience  during  these  years  may  also  be  traced  the 
earnest  interest  he  always  afterward  took  in  the  cause  of  education, 
both  in  the  public  and  in  his  own  religious  Society.  He  was  ever 
afterward  a  friend  of  a  public  system  of  education,  and  in  his  own 
Yearly  Meeting  few  labored  so  long,  so  earnestly  and  so  faithfully 
for  "  the  guarded  religious  and  literary  education  "  of  the  children 
and  young  people. 

■  About  this  period  of  his  life,  he  served  for  a  long  time  as  clerk 
of  the  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, and  in  other  positions  where  he  could  be  useful  to  the  church. 
Love  for  Christ,  although  not  so  thoroughly  developed  as  in  after 
years,  was  even  now  the  moving' cause  in  his  life,  and  led  him  to 
earnest  labor  in  the  church,  and  otherwise  for  the  advancement  of 
His  kingdom  among  men.  That  love  for  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
which  led  him  in  after  years  to  do  so  much  for  their  spread  among 
men,  was  at  this  period  made  more  apparent  to  those  around  him. 
He  had  them  read  daily  and  used  as  a  class-book  in  his  school 
when  it  was  not  generally  practiced.    The  instruction  received  in 


I 


■reminiscence.  289 

tliem  in  his  school  was  blessed  to  many  of  his  scholars,  and  he 
ever  remained  a  warm  advocate  for  their  use  in  common  schools. 
Among  the  earliest  and  most  vivid  recollections  of  the  writer, 
are  his  father  taking  him  upon  his  knees,  and  narrating,  in  a 
simple  but  truthful  and  impressive  manner,  Bible  stories  and  inci- 
dents. While  teaching  others,  he  neglected  not  his  own  family, 
but  commenced  with  their  earliest  years  to  instruct  bis  children 
from  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  as  soon  as  they  were  old  enough, 
almost  daily  he  required  them  to  read  portions  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  answer  questions  upon  them.  He  introduced,  too,  about 
this  period  (in  the  year  1828),  the  practice  of  daily  reading  a 
portion  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  his  family,  in  a  collective 
capacity,  with  a  devotional  pause.  It  was  a  new  practice  among 
Friends  in  this  country  at  that  time,  and,  although  recommended 
by  the  Yearly  Meeting  in  1827,  it  was  looked  upon  with  suspicion 
by  some,  and  treated  with  ridicule  by  others ;  but  he  "  cared  for 
none  of  these  things,"  but  persevered  with  earnestness  in  the  prac- 
tice as  long  as  he  lived.  He  made  it  an  invariable  rule,  that  not 
only  his  own  children,  but  all  his  household,  including  those  in  his 
employ,  or  temporarily  sojourning  with  him,  should  be  present  on 
these  occasions;  and  his  children  all  look  back  to  them  as  a  marked 
feature  in  the  family,  and  as  having  exerted  a  very  useful  influence. 
He  often  recurred  to  the  labors  of  Thomas  Shillito,  at  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  1828,  as  having  been  blessed  to  him  in  strengthening 
his  good  resolutions,  in  this  and  other  particulars,  and  leading  him 
to  do  with  earnestness  what  he  conceived  to  be  his  religious  duty> 
and  to  strengthen  and  confirm_a  trait  which  had  ever  been  promi- 
nent in  his  character  of  carrying  out  good  designs,  and  putting 
into  practical  execution  what  seemed  to  him  likely  to  be  useful. 

In  the  year  1827,  although  then  a  young  man,  less  than  twenty- 
nine  years  of  age,  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  Indiana  Yearly  Meet- 
ing, a  position  he  continued  to  fill  for  thirty-one  years  ;  n»ver  dur- 
ing that  time  missing  a  single  sitting  of  the  Yearly  Meeting.  It 
was  during  a  time  of  great  commotion  in  the  Society.  The  loose 
habits  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  west,  and  their  lack  of  education, 
led  them  to  give  but  little  attention  to  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  to 
treat  with  great  disregard  the  Sabbath  day ;  and  to  many  irreligious 
practices.  Friends  partook  to  a  great  extent  of  the  spirit  of  those 
around  them,  and  a  disregard  for  religion  and  gradually  practicaj 


290 


REMINISCENCE. 


infidelity  begaa  to  develop  itself  in  the  Society.  With  a  light 
esteem  for  the  Holy  Scriptures  there  soon  grew  up  a  disregard  for 
the  Saviour,  and  a  disbelief  in  his  outward  appearance  among  men. 
Unitarianism  in  its  worst  form,  began  to  develop  itself  in  the  So- 
ciety. Some  preachers  boldly  declared  in  their  sermons  that  the 
outward  blood  shed  upon  Calvary  was  of  no  efficacy  in  the  salva- 
tion of  sinners,  and  many  others  showed  a  great  lack  of  knowledge 
of  the  truths  of  the  gospel. 

A  fearful  avalanche  was  gathering.  So  subtly  did  the  enemy 
work  that  many  goodly  persons  were  drawn  into  his  net.  Under 
pretense  of  being  taught  by  the  Spirit  only,  the  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures was  discarded  by  many,  and  considered  highly  improper,  as 
tending  to  fill  mind  with  ideas  taught  by  man,  instead  of  being 
enlighted  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  My  dear  father's  thorough  study  of 
the  Holy  Scriptures  (a  practice  which  he  did  not  hesitate  to  urge 
by  word  and  example),  lead  him  readily  to  discover  the  heresy,  and 
to  see  into  what  such  views  would  lead.  His  voice  and  his  pen 
were  earnestly  used  against  it  He  labored  much  for  the  cause  of 
his  Lord  and  Saviour.  His  earnestness,  and  the  prominent  position 
he  occupied  in  the  church,  made  him  an  especial  subject  of  attack. 
But  he  cast  his  care  upon  the  Lord,  and  the  Lord  sustained  him. 
He  continued  to  maintain,  with  unflinching  earnestness,  the  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel,  as  laid  down  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  even  when 
it  led  to  the  sundering  of  some  very  near  personal  ties.  He  expe- 
rienced then  the  truth  that  while  on  this  earth  the  Christian  is  in 
the  milUant  church,  and  must  expect  to  endure  perils  by  false 
brethern.  He  learned  too  that  confiding  trust  in  God  which  ever 
after  marked  his  character,  and  rendered  him  fearless  of  what  man 
could  do,  and  made  him  so  comforting  an  adviser  to  those  who  were 
in  tirouble.  The  firm  stand  taken  by  himself,  and  other  Friends  no 
doirot,  under  the  blessing  of  God,  saved  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting 
from  soiearful  a  separation  as  occurred  in  some  other  places.  The 
email  body  who  withdrew  from  it  and  established  another  Yearly 
Meeting  at  Waynesville,  Ohio,  in  1828,  made  but  little  impression 
upon  the  main  body,  so  far  as  numbers  were  concerned.  But  there 
yet  remained  in  the  Society  much  of  a  libertine  element,  and  many 
loose  views  which  made  further  labor,  and  constant  watchfulness 
and  prayer  necessary  on  the  part  of  those  who  loved  the  Truth. 
The  evil  effects  which  had  grown  out  of  a  neglect  of  these  points 


REMINISCENCE. 


291 


being  so  apparent,  a  more  earnest  interest  grew  up  in  the  Yearly 
Meeting,  "  for  tlie  guarded  religious  and  literary  education  of  the 
rising  generation  within  its  borders  "  (in  which  my  dear  father 
took  an  active  interest),  and  also  in  the  more  general  reading  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures ;  both  of  which  subjects  were  very  fully  alluded 
to  in  the  minutes  of  nearly  every  Yearly  Meeting  after  this  time, 
and  have  continued  to  occupy  a  considerable  share  of  the  time  and 
attention  of  that  body. 

In  the  year  1828,  my  dear  father  gave  up  the  employment  of 
teaching  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business,  in  a  small  way, 
in  the  village  of  Milton.  In  engaging  in  new  business  he  felt  the 
necessity  for  great  watchfulness  and  care,  lest  he  should  by  any  im- 
prudent step  bring  dishonor  upon  the  cause  of  Truth.  He  set  out 
with  the  most  scrupulous  sense  of  the  obligation  of  contracts,  and 
with  a  determination  to  make  no  engagements  which  he  could  not 
promptly  meet;  to  observe  strict  integrity  and  justice  in  his  deal- 
ings ;  and  in  every  respect  to  do  as  he  would  be  done  by.  How 
faithfully  he  carried  out  these  religious  duties,  those  with  whom  he 
had  business  intercourse  will  abundantly  testify.  Indeed,  so  suc- 
cessful was  he  that  no  one  throughout  his  life,  and  through  varied 
and  extensive  business,  ventured  to  raise  even  a  suspicion  against 
his  integrity.  His  whole  course  through  life  was  conformable  to 
the  same  rules ;  and  in  after  years,  when  engaged  in  more  enlarged 
business,  he  never  swerved  from  the  principles  upon  which  he  first 
set  out.  Holding  that  we  owe  to  God  all  our  blessings,  and  that  god- 
liness is  profitable  for  all  things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is  as  well  as  that  which  is  to  come,  he  made  it  a  rule  of  his 
life  not  to  let  his  business  interfere  with  his  religious  engagements, 
but  to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  with  the  full  assurance  that 
all  things  necessary  would  be  added  thereto.  He  often,  in  later 
life,  bore  testimony  to  the  truthfulness  of  this  position,  and  to  the 
fact  that  God  had  abundantly  fulfilled  His  promise,  and  added  His 
blessing.  He  was  favored  with  a  good  share  of  success  in  his  busi- 
ness, and  was  soon  able  to  enjoy  much  more  of  the  comforts  of  life 
than  he  had  previously  done.  Of  warm  domestic  feelings  and  great 
attachment  to  his  family,  he  did  not  permit  his  business  cares  to 
withdraw  him  from  a  proper  association  with  and  care  over  his 
children.  He  attended  closely  and  personally  to  their  literary  as 
well  as  religious  instruction,  made  himself  their  companion,  and 


292 


REMINISCENCE. 


partook  of  their  little  joys  and  sorrows,  and  at  the  same  time  re- 
quired unqualified  obedience  to  his  commands,  so  that  they  can  not 
now  look  back  and  see  any  period  of  their  life  in  which  they  lacked 
his  watchful  care  and  oversight.  Notwithstanding  a  great  accumu- 
lation of  religious  engagements  he  ever  believed  it  to  be  his  duty 
to  be  diligent  in  business,  and  in  whatever  he  was  engaged  to  do  it 
with  his  might ;  hence  he  gave  strict  attention  to  business,  both 
when  engaged  for  himself  and  when  in  the  employ  of  others,  and 
by  his  habits  of  system  and  order,  by  diligent  application,  and  the 
concentration  of  his  mind  upon  the  point  before  it,  he  was  able  to 
accomplish  much  during  his  life. 

In  the  year  1828,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Meeting  for 
Sufferings,  and  during  the  remainder  of  his  life  continued  to  feel 
a  warm  interest  in  that  body,  and  to  take  an  active  part  in  its  pro- 
ceedings, rarely  ever  missing  a  sitting  of  the  meeting.  He  was 
warmly  attached  to  its  members  individually,  and  during  his  last 
illness  sent  them  a  message  of  his  continued  love  and  interest. 

His  earnest  interest  in  the  guarded  religious  and  literary  educa- 
tion of  the  youth  of  his  own  religious  Society,  led  him  to  advocate 
at  an  early  date  the  establishment  of  a  Boarding  School,  under  the 
care  of  the  Yearly  Meeting.  A  proposition  of  this  kind  was  for- 
warded from  Whitewater  Quarterly  Meeting  to  the  Yearly  Meet- 
ing in  1832,  and  the  committee  to  whom  it  was  referred  made  a 
favorable  report  (which  was  signed  by  my  dear  father),  in  which 
they  say,  "  we  are  united  in  the  belief  that  the  establishment  of  an 
institution,  to  be  under  the  direction  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the 
religious  and  guarded  education  of  the  youth  of  all  classes  of  the 
Society,  would  have  a  happy  effect  on  the  state  of  Society  in  regard 

to  education  throughout  our  borders   And  while 

we  desire  not  to  press  forward  more  speedily  than  our  resources  will 
admit,  we  think  that  the  minds  of  Friends  will  become  more  and 
more  prepared  for  it  as  our  information  advances  and  means  in- 
crease." 

It  proved  to  be  the  work  of  years  to  build  up  in  the  Society  a 
desire  for  such  an  institution.  By  slow  degrees  the  labors  of  its 
friends  were  successful,  and  the  buildings  were,  by  great  exertion, 
partly  completed  and  first  occupied  in  1847 — fifteen  years  after  the 
first  introduction  of  the  subject  into  the  Yearly  Meeting. 

My  dear  father  was  upon  the  first  committee  which  had  charge 


REMINISCENCE. 


293 


of  the  school,  and  by  his  thorough  business  habits  and  educational 
experience,  was  able  to  render  efficient  aid  in  bringing  about  a  sys- 
tem of  order  and  discipline.  He  always  retained  his  interest  in  the 
institution,  and  for  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  devoted  much 
time  and  labor  to  it,  often  visiting  it,  mingling  with  the  scholars  at 
their  exercises,  and  with  the  officers  in  their  councils,  cheering, 
supporting  and  encouraging  them.  He  delivered  a,  course  of  lec- 
tures on  practical  business  points  to  the  students  which  were  highly 
appreciated.  But  his  interest  and  labors  were  especially  directed 
to  the  Scriptural  instruction  of  the  students,  and  he  had  much  to 
do  in  bringing  about  the  thorough  attention  to  that  branch  of  study 
which  now  characterizes  Earlham  College.  His  labors  were  tho- 
roughly appreciated  by  the  faculty  and  superintendent,  and  they 
bear  unqualified  testimony  to  their  great  loss  by  his  death. 

The  following  tribute*  to  his  memory  is  taken  from  an  address 
delivered  by  Zaccheus  Test,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  Professors  in  the 
College,  soon  after  his  death. 


*  The  hearts  of  many  are  already  beating  more  warmly  toward  this 
place.  A  wide  interest,  we  are  glad  to  believe,  is  being  kindled  each  suc- 
cessive session,  in  its  objects  and  its  prosperity;  aud  the  number  is  multiply- 
ing of  those  who  are  ready  to  bid  an  earnest  "God  speed"  on  its  career. 
Would  that  our  rejoicing  at  these  accessions  of  new  Friends  were'not  saddened 
by  the  thought  that  death  is  thinning  the  ranks  of  the  veterans  in  the  cause. 
In  looking  about  us  here  to-day  our  eyes  search  in  vain  for  one  who,  for  years 
past,  has  been  among  the  foremost  and  most  interested  with  us  on  these  occa- 
sions. Though  his  formal  participation  in  the  management  of  the  institution 
had  ceased,  his  interest  in  its  prosperity  and  success  continued  warm  and  una- 
bated, and  often  still  he  would  doubtless  have  lent  us  his  presence  and  encour- 
agement.   But  the  place  that  knew  him  shall  now  know  him  no  more. 

The  new  year  had  not  told  many  of  its  days,  ere  it  summoned  us  to  mourn 
at  his  open  grave  ;  and  it  was  a  bitter  grief  that  filled  some  of  our  hearts,  as 
we  thought  that  his  kindly  presence  and  sympathy  would  no  longer,  as  they 
were  wont,  gladden  and  cheer  us  at  our  toil.  Many  doubtless  feel  with  U3 
that  one  of  the  truest  and  firmest  friends  of  the  institution  has  fallen,  one  who 
stood  nobly  and  faithfully  by  it,  alike  through  evil  report  and  good  report,  and 
who  allowed  nothing  to  swerve  him  from  his  labors  and  interest  in  its  behalf. 
And  many,  no  doubt,  have  been  asking  with  us,  Who  is  to  fill  the  vacant  place 
in  the  ranks  of  its  friends?  On  whom  has  his  mantle  fallen?  On  whom  rests 
the  double  portion  of  his  spirit? 

It  is  most  fitting  that  his  last  resting-place  should  be  so  near  the  scenes  in  which 
he  was  wont  to  participate  with  such  a  lively  interest.  That  "lone grave"  will 
receive  many  a  pilgrim-visit  from  teacher  and  student  of  Earlham.  Around 


294 


KEMINISCENCE. 


P  During  his  residence  at  Milton,  from  the  first  establishment  of 
the  post-office  there  he  held  the  position  o^  post-master. 

He  believed  that  good  government  ia  one  of  God's  blessings  to 
man ;  that  the  powers  that  be  are  ordained  of  God,  and  that  it  is 
quite  possible  to  carry  on  governments  on  Christian  principles,  and 
for  those  in  authority  to  regulate  their  lives  by  a  Christian  standard  ; 
and  that  living  in  a  republic,  every  citizen  is  responsible  to  some  ex- 
tent for  the  character  of  the  government.  Hence,  ho  always  be- 
lieved it  his  duty  to  exercise  the  right  of  suffrage,  and  promptly  to 
pay  all  legally  assessed  taxes,  often  remarking  that  he  felt  it  to  be 
not  only  a  duty  but  a  privilege,  thus  to  aid  in  supporting  the  govern- 
ment, and  in  every  other  respect,  when  it  did  not  require  something 
which  he  could  not  conscientiously  perform.  Nor  did  he  constantly 
seek  for  some  "  conscientious  objection,"  but  was  disposed  to  act 
"with  all  the  liberality  the  gospel  allows,  being  careful  at  the  same 
time  to  maintain  a  constience  void  of  offense  toward  God  and  toward 
man.  He  was  conservative  in  his  political  views,  and  careful  to 
avoid  the  extremes  of  parties  and  to  pursue  a  mild  Christian  course, 
taking  no  part  in  the  excitement  attendant  upon  political  organiza- 
tions. 

The  lack  of  Holy  Scriptures  among  Friends  in  Indiana  Yearly 
Meeting  continued  to  be  alarmingly  great.  The  Yearly  Meeting 
had  taken  steps  to  have  it  inquired  into,  and  in  1830,  "  The  reports 
from  the  Quarterly  Meetings  showed  a  deficiency  of  one  hundred 
and  ninety  six  copies  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  in  order  that  each 
family  may  be  supplied  with  one,  and  that  all  the  deficiences  are 
not  reported.''  A  large  proportion  of  this  destitution  was  in  White- 
water Quarterly  Meeting.    The  existence  of  such  a  state  of  things 


it  are  gathered  memories  and  associations  dear  alike  to  both.  And  many  an 
instructive  lesson  to  our  comfort  and  cheer  will  it  have  for  us;  for  "  though 
dead  he  yet  speaketh,"  and  in  the  luster  of  his  example,  and  in  the  peaceful- 
ness  and  glorious  hope  of  his  death,  we  may  see  the  beauty  of  a  consecrated 
life  and  the  blessedness  of  its  reward. 

I  feel  that  many  words  would  not  become  rac  in  this  allusion.  I  have  felt, 
indeed,  that  any  were  far  short  of  my  feelings,  that  I  could  scarcely  let  myself 
bring  the  matter  to  words  at  all.  But  I  would  fain  give  some  expression,  faint 
though  it  be,  of  what  I  so  deeply  feel,  that  Earlham  Collage  has  lost  a  friend 
it  could  ill  spare;  and  its  officers  an  earnest  and  sympathizing  adviser  and  co- 
worker, whose  place  can  not  easily  be  filled.  One  whose  memory  they  will 
long  cherish  with  the  liveliest  gratitude,  and  the  most  affectionate  regard. 


REMINISCENCE. 


295 


was  deeply  affecting  to  my  beloved  father,  and  with  Lis  character- 
istic energy  and  determination,  at  Whitewater  Quarterly  Meeting 
on  the  Twelfth-month  following,  he  procured  the  co-operation  of 
some  Friends,  and  they  organized  an  auxiliary  to  the  Bible  Associa- 
tion of  Friends  in  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  as  set  out  in  their 
constitution,  "  of  supplying  Friends  and  others  in  this  vicinity  with 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  encouraging  the  frequent  and  serious  perusal 
of  them,  and  promoting  a  more  accurate  knowledge  of  their  invalu- 
able contents."  But  thirteen  Friends  participated  in  the  first  meet- 
^ing.  My  dear  father  was  appointed  secretary.  The  work  went 
quietly  forward,  and  commending  itself  more  and  more  to  Friends, 
many  valuable  members  became  participants  in  it.  [At  the  Yearly 
Meeting  in  1831,  ninety-one  families  and  parts  of  families  were  re- 
ported "  as  destitute  of  those  invaluable  writings,"  of  which  sixty- 
five  were  in  Whitewater  Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1832,  forty-five  in 
the  Yearly  Meeting  and  twenty-six  in  Whitewater  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing. In  1835,  nineteen  in  the  Yearly  Meeting  and  three  in  White- 
water Quarterly  Meeting].  The  meetings  of  the  Auxiliary  above 
named  continued  to  be  held,  sometimes  with  very  few  present  and 
nnder  discouraging  circumstances  for  nearly  thirty  years,  until  the 
organization  was  in  great  measure  superseded  by  Indiana  Bible 
Association  of  Friends;  and  many  years  before  it  ceased  an  active 
existence,  every  family  of  Friends  within  its  limits  was  supplied 
with  a  good  reference  Bible,  and  every  reader  with  a  small  Bible. 

In  the  Third-month  1832,  "  Charles  Osborn,  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  in  unity  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  having  obtained  cer- 
tificates to  perform  a  religious  visit  to  Friends  and  others  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  set  off  toward  Philadelphia,  with  a  view  of 
sailing  from  that  city  across  the  Atlantic."  My  dear  father,  in  a 
small  memorandum  book,  says:  "I  having  for  some  time  wished 
to  visit  the  market  of  Philadelphia,  in  order  to  purchase  merchan- 
dise, and  having  an  agency  for  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  to  provide 
Friends'  books  for  the  libraries,  and  wishing  to  attend  Philadelphia 
Yearly  Meeting  in  the  Fourth-month  next,  and  having  this  oppor- 
tunity of  agreeable  company,  resolved  to  travel  to  the  above-named 
city,  with  a  view  to  attend  to  these  several  subjects.''  This  journey 
afforded  him  an  opportunity  of  mingling  with  many  valuable  friends 
with  whom  he  had  long  corresponded,  and  was  useful  to  him  in 
various  respects.    He  kept  accurate  and  interesting  notes  of  it. 


296 


REMINISCENCE. 


They  are  Interesting  to  refer  to,  as  an  illustration  of  the  change  in  the 
method  of  traveling  between  the  same  points  in  thirty  years.  They 
went  hy  private  conveyance  to  Hamilton,  Ohio  ;  thence  by  canal- 
boat  to  Cincinnati ;  thence  by  steamboat  to  Wheeling,  Virginia, 
occupying  about  four  days  between  Cincinnati  and  Wheeling. 
From  Wheeling  they  traveled  by  stage-coach  to  Fredericktown, 
Maryland,  and  from  thence  to  Baltimore,  sixty  miles,  upon  one  of 
the  first  railroads  built  in  the  United  States.  The  cars  were  pro- 
pelled by  horse  power,  and  occupied  about  eight  hours  in  the 
journey.  He  notes,  "  this  was  rapid  and  easy  traveling.''  His 
memorandum  gives  an  accurate  description  of  the  novel  ancf 
interesting  road  and  equipments,  then  just  introduced.  They 
arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  the  30th  of  the  Third-month,  having 
been  sixteen  days,  including  some  short  detention,  in  performing 
the  journey.  Steamships  had  not  then  been  introduced,  and  his 
companion  sailed  from  New  York  for  Liverpool,  in  the  packet-ship 
"  Silas  Richards,''  on  the  7th  of  the  Fourth-month.  Afterward  my 
dear  father  returned  to  Philadelphia,  purchased  his  goods,  and  at- 
tended the  Yearly  Meeting.  It  was  to  him  a  very  interesting  occa- 
sion— Jonathan  and  Hannah  Backhouse  of  England,  Henry  Hull  of 
New  York,  Jeremiah  Hubbard  of  North  Carolina,  and  Ann  Taylor 
of  Ohio,  were  among  the  ministers  from  other  Yearly  Meetings  in 
attendance.  He  says,  "  this  Yearly  Meeting  has  been  conducted  in  a 
very  harmonious  and  satisfactory  manner,''  and  "  its  close  took  place 
in  a  solemn  and  memorable  manner.''  He  visited  Westtown  board- 
ing-school after  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  speaks  of  it  "  as  in  very 
successful  operation,"  and  "  being  in  a  very  thriving  and  prosperous 
condition."  After  spending  a  few  days  more  in  Philadelphia,  visit- 
ing various  public  institutions  and  other  objects  of  interest,  and 
mingling  with  his  friends  and  forming  acquaintance  and  attachment 
■with  some  valued  friends,  which  was  kept  up  as  long  as  he  lived, 
he  set  out  for  home,  and  returning  by  stage-coach  through  Penn- 
sylvania to  Pittsburg,  and  by  the  Ohio  river  to  Cincinnati,  he 
reached  his  own  home  at  Milton,  on  the  9th  of  the  Fifth-month 
1832,  and  notes  in  his  memorandum-book,  "  much  pleased  to  meet  ^ 
my  family  and  friends  after  a  very  interesting  journey,  and  feeling 
thankful  to  a  good  Providence  for  the  favors  which  had  attended 
me."  The  writer  well  remembers  the  interest  with  which  he  nar- 
rated to  his  family  on  his  return  the  various  events  which  had  oc- 


REMINISCEITCE. 


297 


carred  to  him  im'mg  his  absence,  and  the  thankfulness  with  which, 
he  ppoke  of  the  preserving  care  of  Divine  Providence  toward  liira 
and  his  beloved  family  during  their  separation.  This  was  another 
marked  feature  in  his  character.  In  later  years  he  was  often  called 
from  home,  but  never  set  out  without  earnest  prayer  for  preserva- 
tion, and  always  returned  home  with  thanksgiving  for  his  safety  ; 
thus  abundantly  realizing  a  sense  of  his  dependence  upon  Divine 
Providence  for  all  his  sure  mercies. 

His  business  being  prudently  and  cajx3fully  managed,  continued 
to  prosper  in  a  small  way ;  but  his  capital  was  small,  and  his  great 
a^ntipathj  to  being  in  debt,  led  him  to  accept  a  proposition  which 
was  made  to  him  by  a  wholesale  dry  goods  firm  in  Cincinnati,  with 
which  he  had  for  several  years  dealt,  and  who  were  well  acquainted 
with  his  careful  business  habits,  to  take  charge  of  their  books^ 
with  a  prospect  of  lai-ger  interest  in  their  business  if  mutually 
agreeable.  He  felt  keenly  breaking  off  the  connection  which  had 
BO  long  and  so  pleasantly  existed  with  his  friends  at  Milton,  but 
after  serious  deliberation,  ko  thought  it  best  to  make  the  change  ; 
and  closing  his  business  satisfiictorily,  he  left  there  with  his  family, 
in  the  Seventh-month  1832,  and  arrived  at  Cincinnati,  on  the  4th. 
The  change  to  city  life  for  one  always  accustomed  to  the  country, 
was  great,  but  ho  entered  upon  the  duties  incident  to  his  new  situa- 
tion, with  his  accustomed  energy  and  zeal,  and  soon  made  himself 
eflScient  in  the  business,  and  gained  the  esteem  of  his  employers, 
and  of  those  who  dealt  with  them.  His  interest  in  religious  sub- 
jects continued  unabated,  and  he  soon  commenced  a  Scripture 
school  en  First-day,  in  Friends'  meeting-house,  one  of  the  first  in 
the  Society  in  the  west.  It  was  kept  up  during  his  stay  in  the 
city,  and  was  weil  attended.  The  experiment  worked  satisfactorily^ 
During  his  residence  in  Cincinnati,  Jonathan  and  Hannah  C.  Back- 
house visited  that  city.  Their  earnest  and  effectual  labors  in  the 
cause  of  Scriptural  instruction,  met  with  a  ready  response  with  my 
dear  father,  being  in  accordance  with  his  own  views  and  practices ; 
and  he  often  spoke  of  the  strength  and  encouragement  this  had 
afforded  him. 

About  the  time  of  his  arrival  in  Cincinnati,  the  second  visitation 
of  cholera  was  prevailing  there.    It  was  very  fatal.    Much  alarm 
was  felt,  and  a  deep  gloom  spread  over  the  city.    The  writer  well 
remembers  the  calmness  of  his  father;  while  using  all  proper  pre- 
19 


298 


REMINISCEJfCE, 


cautions,  lie  remainod  quietly  at  his  post,  and  attended  regularly  t» 
his  daily  duties,  trusting  in  God.  Business  prospered  and  increased 
in  the  house  jvith  which  he  was  connected.  The  prospect  of  speedily 
making  a  fortune  was  before  bim.  But  the  increasing  business  re- 
quired so  large  a  share  of  his  time,  and  so  fully  occupied  his  mind, 
as  to  cut  him  ofi"  from  the  opportunity  to  devote  himself  to  religious 
objects  so  much  as  he  desired.  This,  together  with  the  impression 
that  his  family  could  be  more  readily  trained  to  a  religious  life  in 
the  country,  caused  him  to  accept  a  position  which  was  tendered 
him  in  the  fall  of  1834,  as  cashier  of  the  Branch  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Indiana  at  Richmond,  a  new  institution  which  was  about  com- 
mencing business.  This  led  him  to  return  to  the  State  and  county 
from  whence  he  had  removed,  and  brought  him  to  the  place  where 
the  Yearly  Meeting  wa«  held.  This  movement,  too,  was  not  made 
without  deep  thoughtfulness  and  prayer ;  and,  although  it  led  to  a 
sacrifice  of  prospects  of  greater  gain,  he  ever  felt  that  the  hand  of 
Divine  Providence  was  in  the  opening  thus  presented  for  a  change 
of  business,  and  that  it  resulted  in  good  to  himself  aod  his  family. 
He  was  agaia  thrown  into  an  untried  business,  and  again  had  to 
carve  out  his  way.  His  associate  officers  were  also  novices  in  the 
business,  and  upon  him  fell  the  principal  management  of  the  bank. 
He  brought  to  it  his  usual  correct  business  habits,  and  an  earnest 
application  and  unbending  integrity,  which  insured  success.  For 
several  years  be  remained  almost  the  sole  manager  of  the  branch 
at  Richmond,  and  also  represented  that  branch  in  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  State  Bank,  and  to  him  largely  the  public  are 
indebted  far  the  high  standard  attained  by  that  branch  of  the  old 
State  Bank  of  Indiana,  and  the  creditable  manner  in  which  it  was- 
conducted.  He  opened  the  doors  at  the  commencement  of  the  bank 
on  the  1st  of  the  Twelfth-month,  1834,  and  continued  to-  fill  thi&. 
position  until  its  final  close,  on  the  1st  of  the  First-month,  1859,, 
a  period  of  nearly  twenty-five  years.  Most  of  his  early  associates, 
both  in  the  branch  bank  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  in  the 
parent  institution  and  its  other  branches,  liad  passed  ofi"  the  stager 
before  he  retired,  but  with  all  who  survive  him  he  is  held  in  kind 
remembrance,  and  greatly  respected  for  his  candor,  integrity,  and 
business  habits. 

"A  lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover  of  good  men,"  his  house  was 
ever  open  to  receive  those  wha  were  traveling  in  the  eeryice  of  thei? 


REMINISCENCE.  299 

Lord  or  of  the  church  ;  and  uniform  testimony  has  been  borne  by 
these  to  the  kindness,  hospitality,  and  Christian  spirit  with  which 
they  were  received  and  entertained.  Most  of  the  ministers  of  the 
gospel  from  England,  who  visited  Kichmond  after  he  removed 
there,  were  his  guests,  and  warm  attachment  was  formed  between 
them,  and  his  correspondence  with  some  of  them,  which  was  kept 
up  until  his  death,  was  very  interesting.  The  acquaintance  thus 
formed,  together  with  his  position  and  influence  in  his  own  Yearly 
Meeting,  caused  his  name  to  be  familiar  throughout  the  Society  of 
Friends,  so  that  wherever  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  was  known,  his 
name  was  attached  to  it.  The  visit  of  Joseph  John  Gurney,  in 
1837,  was  a  memorable  one  to  my  father  and  his  family.  He  is 
still  remembered  by  those  who  survive  for  his  sweet  Christian 
spirit,  his  abounding  prayer  and  thanksgiving,  and  for  his  feeling 
appreciation  of  the  condition  of  those  among  whom  he  mingled 
and  his  tender  advice,  counsel  and  warning.  He  notes  his  arrival 
in  his  journal,  under  date  of  Tenth-month  2,  1837,  thus  briefly 
and  pleasantly:  "  We  arrived  at  the  peaceful  abode  of  dear  Elijah 
Coflin  on  Sixth-day,  in  time  to  attend  the  afternoon  Meeting  for 
SuSering." 

About  this  period,  one  of  those  circumstances  occurred  which 
showed  the  advantage  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures 
had  upon  the  mind  of  my  dear  father.  Some  Friends  were  dis- 
posed to  give  a  theoretical  interpretation  to  the  doctrine  of  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead  and  general  day  of  judgment,  and  to 
spiritualize  away  the  plain  teachings  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  on  this 
subject;  and  these  views  had  so  far  prevailed  in  one  Monthly  Meet- 
ing in  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  which  he  belonged,  as  to  lead  to 
serious  difficulty  and  disagreement.  "  My  dear  father  was  one  of  a 
'committee  appointed  by  the  Quarterly  Meeting  to  visit  them,  and 
by  his  rigid  adherence  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  neither  going  beyond 
nor  stopping  short  of  the  views  therein  laid  down  on  these  points,  was 
able  to  do  much  toward  allaying  the  excitement.  The  Monthly 
Meeting  was  temporarily  suspended,  but  the  occurrence  wis  useful 
in  leading  many  to  a  more  thorough  search  of  the  Holy  Scriptures 
and  examination  of  the  foundation  of  their  belief 

My  dear  father  had,  from  early  life,  been  a  decided  anti-slaverj 
man,  and  while  a  resident  of  North  Carolina,  was  connected  with 
an  emancipation  society.    His  great  aversion  to  slavery  was  a  prin- 


% 


300 


REMINISCENCE. 


cipal  cause  for  his  leaving  that  State,  as  he  preferred  to  have  his 
children  brought  up  in  a  free  State.  He  always  maintained,  con- 
sistently and  decidedly,  his  opposition  to  slavery;  and  when  the 
legislature  of  Indiana  passed  laws  discriminating  against  colored 
people,  he  was  one  of  a  deputation  from  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings 
who  visited  Indianapolis,  in  the  winter  of  1830,  to  urge  their  re- 
peal, and  the  granting  that  class  of  citizens  equal  rights  with  others. 
He  labored  much  during  his  life  for  the  advancement  of  the  colored 
people  in  education  and  Christianity,  and  was  a  firm  and  reliable 
friend  to  the  race.  He  was,  however,  by  natural  temperament  and 
through  Divine  grace,  conservative  and  careful  about  running  to 
extremes,  and  his  well-balanced  mind  soon  detected  any  tendency 
in  that  direction.  When  the  anti-slavery  excitement  which  spread 
over  the  Northern  States  had  begun  to  agitate  his  own  religious 
Society,  he  feared  the  tendency  to  extremes  which  it  developed. 
He  thought,  too,  that  the  zeal  and  heat  which  was  manifested  was 
calculated  to  injure  rather  than  promote  the  cause  ;  hence,  while 
his  views  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and  the  rights  of  the  colored 
people  remained  unchanged,  he  stood  firmly  against  the  spirit 
which  was  being  developed  in  the  Society,  and  which  finally  re- 
sulted in  the  withdrawal  of  a  considerable  number  of  the  members 
of  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting,  and  the  establishment,  in  the  Second- 
month,  1843,  of  the  Indiana  Yearly  Meeting  of  Anti-slavery 
Friends.  He  felt  keenly  this  step,  as  it  cut  him  off  from  religious 
association  with  many  to  whom  he  was  closely  attached,  and  with 
whom  he  had  long  labored  in  the  good  cause.  In  this,  as  in  many 
other  differences  in  religious  Society,  much  ill-feeling  was  stirred 
up,  and  no  doubt  a  want  of  sufficient  forbearance  was  shown  by 
their  brethren  toward  those  who  were  honestly  and  conscientiously 
laboring  in  what  they  thought  a  right  cause.  Time  wore  off  the 
difference  to  a  great  extent,  and  subsequently  far  the  greater  number 
of  those  who  left  the  Society  on  that  occasion  were  restored  to  it. 

My  dear  father  ever  felt  a  deep  interest  in  the  civilization  and 
spread  of  Christianity  among  the  heathen  nations,  and  a  warm  re- 
gard for  the  devoted  missionaries  who  sacrificed  so  much  of  per- 
sonal comfort  and  enjoyment  as  to  spend  their  lives  in  this  good 
cause.  He  rendered  them  such  aid,  pecuniarily  and  otherwise,  as 
he  was  able  to,  and  as  he  could  consistently  with  his  views  of  the 
freedom  and  spirituality  of  the  gospel  dispensation.    His  interest 


REMINISCENCE. 


301 


in  this  cause  continued  unabated  to  the  end  of  his  life,  and  he  sub- 
scribed during  his  last  illness  for  the  "Missionary  Herald,"  in 
order  to  keep  himself  fully  advised  upon  the  subject.  He  looked 
upon  the  colony  of  Liberia  as  likely  to  have  a  useful  influence  in 
the  spread  of  civilization  and  Christianity  in  Africa,  and  hence 
gave  it  his  hearty  support. 

In  the  year  18-lG,  my  dear  father  was  appointed  an  Elder.  His 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  religious  weight 
of  character,  rendered  him  well  qualified  for  that  position;  and  with 
him  it  was  not  merely  a  nominal  office  to  which  he  had  attained 
from  negative  qualities,  and  on  account  of  plain  dress  and  a  con- 
sistent outward  appearance,  a-nd  because  no  especial  objection  could 
be  urged  to  him.  He  had  very  clear  views  of  gospel  ministry,  and 
dealt  tenderly,  but  decidedly,  with  the  ministry:  advised,  encour- 
aged or  warned  them  as  occasioned  required.  He  labored  faith- 
fully to  feed  the  flock  over  which  he  was  overseer,  and  did  not  con- 
fine his  labors  to  finding  fault  with  the  unwary,  and  with  those 
who  had  gone  astray.  Many  young  Christians  remember,  with 
afi"ectionate  interest,  his  kind  and  sympathetic  advice,  and  his  words 
of  counsel  and  encouragement.  In  Meetings  of  Discipline  he  was 
especially  useful,  his  clear,  sound  and  well  expressed  views  having 
great  weight  .with  his  Friends.  His  labors  for  the  advancement  of 
every  good  cause  were  earnest  and  indefatigable,  his  habits  of  sys- 
tem and  order  being  eminently  useful  in  the  practical  afi"airs  of  the 
church.  A  few  times  in  his  life  he  spoke  in  Meetings  for  Worship 
in  a  forcible  and  striking  manner — but  it  was  very  rarely.  He  re- 
marked, a  short  time  before  his  death,  that  he  had  often  in  years 
past  examined  carefully,  and  believed  that  he  was  not  called  to  the 
gospel  ministry,  but  to  labor  in  other  parts  of  the  Heavenly  Father's 
vineyard,  and  that  fact  had  made  him  too  cautious  about  publicly 
speaking  for  his  Saviour,  and  he  now  believed  that  it  would  have 
been  right  for  him  more  frequently  to  have'shown  by  outward  expres- 
sion his  love  for  his  Saviour.  He  was  several  times  during  his  life 
engaged  in  visiting  families  and  individuals  to  encourge  them  in  a 
religious  life.  In  the  year  1850,  my  dear  mother  and  himself  at- 
tended Walnut  Ridge  Monthly  Meeting,  and  visited  twelve  to  four- 
teen families,  and  several  individuals,  mostly  among  his  relations- 
His  labors  among  them  were  interesting,  and  attended  with  useful 
results.    On  another  occasion,  in  company  with  two  other  Friends, 


302 


KEMINISCENCE. 


he  visited  a  large  number  of  families  of  newly  married  persons,  and 
single  young  men  in  the  limits  of  his  own  Monthly  Meeting.  This 
service  yielded  himself  and  his  associates  peace  of  mind,  and  was 
acknowledged  by  many  of  those  whom  they  visited  to  have  been 
useful  to  them.  lie  continued  to  feel  a  deep  interest  in  this  class 
of  society  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  the  singularly  touching  and  beau- 
tiful remarks  he  made  in  the  last  Yearly  Meeting  he  attended,  after 
he  was  unable  to  sit  long  at  a  time,  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by 
those  who  heard  them. 

At  the  close  of  the  charter  of  the  State  Bank  on  First  day  of 
1859,  my  dear  father  gave  up  secular  business,  but  he  was  too  active 
a  man,  and  had  too  high  an  estimate  of  the  value  of  time,  to  spend 
it  in  idleness.  He  had  seen  too  frequently  the  evil  results  of  mem- 
bers of  our  own  religious  Society,  even  in]advanced  years,  when  not 
forced  by  physical  inability  to  do  so,  giving  up  all  employment  and 
spending  their  time  in  listless  idleness ;  he  often  remarked  that 
such  were  sure  to  fall  into  temptation,  and  to  be  the  instruments  of  • 
others,  if  not  themselves  the  active  participants  in  evil.  His  time 
after  this  was  almost  wholly  taken  up  with  such  objects  as  he 
thought  would  promote  the  glory  of  our  Heavenly  Father.  In 
the  various  engagements  connected  with  his  own  religious  Society; 
the  Bible  Society;  the  Central  Book  and  Tract  Committee ;  the 
committee  having  charge  of  Earlham  College,  much  of  his  time 
was  occupied,  as  will  more  fully  appear  in  his  journal.  The  pre- 
paration and  publication  of  his  "  Scripture  Exercises,"  also  cost 
him  much  time  and  labor  :  so  that  altogether  in  no  part  of  his  life 
had  he  been  more  closely  engaged.  All  these  were  objects  in 
which  he  felt  a  great  interest,  and  he  spoke  of  them  on  his  death- 
bed as  affording  him  unqualified  satisfaction  in  the  retrospect,  "  be- 
cause he  did  them  from  his  love  to  Christ."  During  this  period  he 
spent  some  time  in  visiting  the  families  in  the  ward  of  the  city  in 
which  he  lived,  during  the  winter  season,  to  inquire  into  their  out- 
ward wants  and  to  supply  the  destitute  with  Bibles  and  Tracts.  A 
similar  service  was  performed  in  a  suburb  of  the  city,  which  led) 
through  his  exertion  principally,  to  the  estalishment  of  a  "Sabbath 
School,"  which  has  since  been  in  successful  operation,  and  has  been 
productive  of  good  fruits.  He  is  borne  in  affectionate  remem- 
brance by  many  of  those  who  were  thus  visited,  and  since  his 
death,  touching  tributes  have  been  borne  to  his  memory  by  some 


BEMINISCENCE. 


303 


o'f  tliese  poor  and  neglected  ones.  His  kind  and  Christian  manner 
secured  for  him  a  favorable  reception  wherever  he  went,  and  his 
loving  spirit  left  its  impress  on  those  he  visited.  During  his  whole 
life  he  had  a  warm  attachment  for  the  branch  of  the  Christian 
■church  to  which  he  belonged.  Connected  with  Friends  by  birth 
and  education,  his  views  of  the  accordancy  of  their  principles  with 
the  doctrines  of  the  gospel  as  laid  down  in  the  Holy  Scriptures, 
became  stronger  and  more  decided  the  longer  he  lived,  and  the  more 
he  grew  in  spiritual  Tcnowledge.  His  life  too  had  been  much  devoted 
to  the  service  of  the  cTiurch  and  to  the  spread  of  a  vital  experimental 
t!)hristianity  and  a  loving  spirit  among  its  members.  Under  ap- 
pointment of  the  Superior  Meeting,  he  frequently  took  long  jour- 
neys to  visit  the  cTiurches,  and  expended  much  of  his  time  and 
means  in  such  services,  and  few  persons  have  been  similarly  en- 
gaged to  more  profit.  He  left  a  memento  behind  him  wherever  he 
went,  and  many  endearing  associations  were  thus  formed.  Within 
the  last  two  years  of  his  life,  as  will  more  fully  appear  in  his 
journal,  he  thus  visited  Iowa  and  Kansas,  beside  attending  North 
■Carolina,  New  York  and  New  England  Yearly  Meetings.  He  was 
himself  a  strict  observer  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  Society  in  dress 
and  language,  and  "brought  up  his  children  in  conformity  to  them, 
"but  as  he  grew  older  he  put  less  stress  on  tlicse  minor  points,  and 
felt  more  earnest  interest  in  repentance,  conversion,  change  of  heart 
and  life,  and  thorough  submission  to  the  operation  of  Diyine  grace 
in  the  heart,  than  in  outward  conformity  to  the  rules  of  the  Society. 
He  feared  that  many  relied  too  much  upon  these  minor  points  and 
neglected  the  weightier  matters  of  the  law.  He  often  remarked 
that  if  we  made  clean  the  inside  of  the  cup  and  platter,  the  out- 
side would  be  clean  also.  He  was  especially  concerned  in  the  lat- 
ter part  of  his  life  and  during  his  final  illness,  that  those  in  more 
advanced  years,  and  occupying  prominent  stations  in  the  church, 
might  thoroughly  examine  themselves,  to  know  whether  they 
'had  passed  from  death  unto  life,  and  his  kind,  feeling  conversations 
with  some  of  this  class  were  peculiarly  touching  and  interesting. 

While  entertaining  these  views  and  feelings  in  regard  to  his  own 
religious  Society,  he  had  the  most  extended  charity  and  love  for 
those  of  other  Christian  denominations.  H^e  mingled  freely  with 
all  such  in  promotion  of  the  great  objects  of  life,  and  was  ever 
ready  to  participate  with  them  in  any  movement  which  he  consid- 


304 


ered  to  be  for  the  good  of  his  follow-men.  He  freqiuentlj  Tisite<3 
and  addressed  their  Sabbath  Schools,  Bible  Societies  and  other 
useful  associations — and  encouraged  the  establishment  of  schools 
for  the  instruction  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  of  those  who  were  neg- 
lected, especially  where  denominational  schools  could  not  be  easily 
maintained.  While  maintaining  thoroughly  what  he  believed  to  be 
the  true  Christian  doctrine  as  to  the  freedom  and  spirituality  of 
the  gospel  ministry  and  the  necessity  for  Divine  aid  in  the 
exercise  thereof  and  io  prayer,  he  was  careful  not  to  judge 
harshly  those  who  differed  from  him,  nor  to  discourage  exer- 
cises of  that  kind  which  they  believed  to  be  right.  During  his 
last  sickness  he  received  with  much  comfort  the  visits  of  ministers 
and  others,  members  of  other  churches,  and  some  seasons  of  prayer 
on  such  occasions  were  deeply  alFeeting  to  himself  and  his  family. 
His  feelings  were  simply  and  beautifully  expressed,  on  one  occaaioa 
during  his  final  sickness,  to  one  O'f  this  class :  "  While  I  love  my 
church  and  bretheri>,  with  an  ardor  indescribable,  I  love  you  all — 
I  love  all  you  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  because  they  love 
Him."  My  dear  father  was  always  careful  in  speaking  of  his  owa 
personal  religious  experience.  With  au  abounding  sense  of  his 
own  infirmities  and  his  unworthiness,  he  felt  that  to  the  mercy  of 
God  he  owed  all  that  he  was,  and  he  was  fearful  almost  to  a  fault,  in 
laying  claim  to  be  a  servant  of  Christ,  and  in  speaking  of  his  own  ad- 
vance in  Christian  life.  But  his  life  was  to  those  who  were  most  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  him  a  beautiful  exemplication  of  the  gradual 
work  of  sanetification,  and  of  that  path  of  the  just  which  shines  more 
and  more  unto  the  perfect  day.  His  heart  had,  at  an  early  period 
in  his  life,  been  given  to  God:  he  had  experienced  conversion,  and 
showed  by  his  after  life  and  conversation  that  his  great  object  was 
to  serve  the  Lord,  benefit  his  fellow-men,  and  attain  finally  to  one 
of  those  mansions  prepared  in  Heaven  for  those  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  In  the  year  ISi-l,  he  passed  through  one  of  those 
seasons  of  deep  mental  agony  which  sometimes  overtake  th© 
Christian,  and  are  intended  for  his  further  purification  and  refine- 
ment. His  soul  was  poured  out  repeatedly  in  strong  cries  and 
prayers  to  God — daily  and  often  during  the  day  much  time  was. 
spent  in  retirement  and  prayer — finally  faith  obtained  the  victory, 
and  he  came  out  further  advanced  in  the  pathway  of  Holiness — 
the  face  of  his  Heavenly  Father  again  shone  upon  him,  aad  Hia 


REMINISCENCE- 


SOS 


spirit  spake  peace  to  liis  soul.  It  was  a  well-marked  era  in  his  life,, 
and  made  a  strong  impression  upon  his  family  as  well  as  himself. 

It  is  not  professed  that  he  was  clear  of  faults.  He  was  naturally 
of  an  irritable,  nervous  temperament,  and  had  a  strong  will  to  sub- 
due— but  he  labored  earnestly  and  faithfully  to  this  end.  Nor  did 
he  permit  a  sense  of  bis  own  weakness  to  prevent  his  labors  for  the 
good  of  others.  He  felt  keenly  the  wickedness  by  nature  of  his 
©wn  heart,  and  his  constant  liability  to  fall  into  temptation,  and  the 
uecessity  for  watchfulness  and  prayer.  With  a  clear,  strong  mind 
he  readily  grasped  any  proposition,  and  frequently  when  he  clearly 
saw  the  expediency  of  any  measures  which  he  thought  for  the  good 
of  the  church  or  the  world,  it  was  difficult  for  him  to  have  sufficient 
patience  with  those  who  ditfercd  from  him,  and  he  sometimes  pressed 
his  points  with  such  earnestoess  as  to  give  him  the  appearance  of 
overbearing.  He  was  ever  ready  both  publicly  and  privately  to 
confess  his  faults,  and  frequently  poured  out  his  soul  in  prayer  for 
forgiveness  of  sins,  and  strength  to  overcome  the  evil  of  his  nature  ; 
for  this  he  relied  solely  on  that  fount  which  is  opened  for  sin  and 
for  uncleanness — the  precious  blood  of  Christ.  With  a  keen  sense 
of  honor  and  justice  he  was  ever  ready  to  make  amends  to  any 
"whose  feelings  he  had  wounded,  or  explanation  to  those  who  felb 
themselves  aggrieved.  Thus  he  passed  through  life  with  fear  and 
trembling,  still  growing  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  It  was  interesting  and  instructive  to  those 
who  were  associated  with  him,  to  note  the  progressive  development 
of  his  religious  experience,  and  his  continued  steady  progress  in  the 
highway  to  holiness. 

A  person  of  such  a  temparament,  and  of  so  earnest  a  character, 
will  necessarily  encounter  opposition;  and  he  was  not  exempt  from 
enemies.  There  were  those,  even  in  his  own  church,  who  either 
from  jealousy,  or  other  fruits  of  an  evil  heart,  opposed  his  schemes 
for  good,  and  took  pleasure  in  annoying  him.  Toward  such  he  en- 
deavored to  cultivate  a  Christian  spirit,  and  to  forgive  and  love 
them,  and  when  he  was  reviled  to  revile  not  again;  at  the  same  time 
exercising  a  stern  care  not  to  waver  in  the  path  of  duty  on  account 
of  opposition — nor  to  permit  himself  to  be  drawn  into  compromises- 
which  required  a  sacrifice  of  duty.  In  this  respect  he  was  quite 
remarkable,  pursuing  with  firmness  the  path  of  duty,  ever  bearing 
in  mind  that  he  that  will  live  godly  must  sufi'er  persecution,  and 


306 


HEMINISCENCE. 


that  the  servant  of  a  crucified  Lord  must  expect  to  he  reviled  arid 
opposed.  He  often  spoke  of  this  as  the  militant  church,  and  looked 
forward  with  earnest  aspirations  to  that  better  land  where  all  is 
peace,  love  and  joy.  He  was  especially  guarded  in  reference  to 
tale  bearing,  and  circulating  reports  unfavorable  to  others,  or 
speaking  of  their  fixults.  Few  persons  have  throngh  life  come 
more  nearly  up  to  the  Christian  standard  in  this  respect.  If  any- 
thing reached  him  unfavorable  to  another,  which  he  considered 
worthy  of  notice  at  all,  it  was  his  habit  to  go  to  the  accused  party  and 
speak  to  him  in  the  spirit  of  restoring  love.  It  was  rarely,  however, 
that  he  gave  heed  to  mere  floating  rumors  or  reports,  prejudicial  to 
others,  looking  upon  all  such  things  as  the  oflfspring  of  the  evil  one, 
and  leading  into  loss  to  the  Christian,  who  either  circulated  them 
or  nourished  the  spirit  by  listening  to  them. 

Such  was  the  life  my  honored  father  led:  an  active,  devoted, 
earnest,  Christian  man,  who  carried  out  into  practial  every-day 
aifairs  the  principles  of  the  religion  he  professed.  While  he  was  not 
without  many  of  the  frailties  incident  to  this  life — no  one  was  so  con- 
scious of  them  as  he  was  himself.  He  was  a  man  of  prayer,  spend- 
ing a  part  of  each  day,  for  many  years,  in  religious  devotion.  Some 
instances  of  prayer  in  his  family,  and  on  more  public  occasions,  are 
still  feelingly  borne  in  mind  by  survivors.  The  Bible  was  his  great 
book.  His  knowledge  of  its  contents  was  very  thorough — his  quo- 
tations correct,  and  he  cultivated  a  reverent  belief,  rather  than  a 
curious  and  doubting  study  of  its  contents.  Christian  virtues  shone 
out  with  greater  clearness  in  his  latter  days — and  for  the  last  few 
months  of  his  life  he  seemed  to  those  around  him  as  one  ripe  for 
eternity.  Of  his  death,  the  beautiful  description  of  that  of  another 
devoted  Christian  who  passed  from  works  to  rewards,  near  the  same 
time,  is  striking  applicable  to  him. 

"His  lovely,  noble  life  closed  with  -a  wortliy  death.  All  tlie  piety,  the 
Christian  humility  and  simplicity  which,  through  many  years  had  illuminated 
the  community  he  dwelt  among,  were  trebly  evinced  in  the  manner  of  his  de- 
parture. Full  of  faith,  delight  in  his  Saviour,  Icindness  for  all  he  parted  from* 
yet  joy  and  triumph  in  his  destiny,  humbly  regarding  himself  as  nothing — 
nothing — only  a  poor  sinner,  saved  by  grace,  patient  in  the  midst  of  dreadful 
and  prolonged  suffering,  speaking  only  of  God's  goodness  in  sustaining  him  in 
the  dark  valley — a  valley  whose  darkness  had  been  his  terror,  but  which  he 
found  all  alight  with  God's  mercy — his  death  was  a  scene  which  none  can  ap- 


REMINISCENCE. 


307 


picciate  who  did  not  witness  it,  and  wliicli  they  w!io  did  can  not  adcciuatcly 
<]e#cribe."_. 

It  has  been  touching  to  his  family  to  see  the  many  tributes  which 
have  been  borne  to  his  merits,  and  the  evidence  received  from  vari- 
ous sources  of  the  hold  he  had  on  many  hearts.  "  Let  me  die  the 
death  of  the  righteous,  and  let  my  last  end  be  like  his.'' 


I 


t 


A  LilfLE  MORE  IIGHI. 


Interesting    History  of    Parson  i 
Coffin  and  His  Pour  Sons. 


uakor  Preacher  and  Bank  Trosi- 
(.at— How    He  Collected   for  His 
I  rieud  and  How  the  Societj-  Ex- 
('.■llcd  Him— A  .Sire  "Worthy  of  His 


I  J ,  the  Uuion  gave  an  outliue 

of  the  history  of  the  Muoioipal  iDvevt- 
mont  campany  as  *n  organization.  To- 
day it  will  give  the  history,  so  far  &u 
known  ot  that  oompaoy's  stockholders. 

Ica  largest  stockholder  is  its  presi- 
dent, W.  0.  Cole,  who  spends  most  of 
hia  time  in  London  where  the  comp&ny  ( 
has  placed  most  ot  its  securities.    Mr. '  i 
Cole  is  well  liked  by  nearly  tvery  one  c 
who  has  had  business  conneciion  with  r 
him,  and  the  Union  knows  ol  nothing  j 
ogainst  him  except  the  company  he  > 
keeps  as  lellow  stockholders.  The 
next  largest  stockholder  is  Mrs.  C.  H. 
Coffin,  the  wife  ot  the  vice-president 
and  treasurer  of  the  company.  Mrs. 
Coffin  is  the  sister  of  J.  M.  Howells, 
and  it  is  probably  her  interest  that  Mr. 
Howells  represents  as  a  director  in  the 
company,  as  he  represents  in  his  own 
name  a  very  small  amount  of  stock. 
The  balance  of  the  stock  in  May  of 
this  year  was  owned  by  the  father,  C. 
1  F.  Coffin,  and  his  four  sons,  viz:    C.  fl. 
Coffin,  of  Chicago;  Frank  and  Percy 
Coffin,  of  the  wrecked  Indianapoiiti 
j  bank,  and  William  Coffin,  ot  the  late 
t  firm  of  Coffin  &  Stanton,  New  Yoik,  ol 


pleaiant  a  reo^"^  ^'^^ 


i'rts  v*ke  from  Coffin'd  c5»Tj 
- — nor  honied  lies  of  rhyiu«f, 
deeds,  or  coastciate  a  crloie.' 


